Slope manager sentenced for negligent homicide

The head of the slopes of the Téléverbier ski area has been sentenced to a two-year suspended financial penalty for negligent homicide, following a fatal accident that occurred at the end of 2014.

The incident in question involved a skier who violently collided with a thick safety rope intended to delineate the area around a chairlift. The skier hit the ropes with her chest and neck, and then fell, hitting her head. She died later at Sion hospital. 

It was the lack of any other panels or flags to signal the perimeter that was ultimately deemed to be a violation of the manager’s duty of care. The defense argued that the defendant did not personally install the rope, but the prosecution argued that the accused was acting as head of security for the ski area and should have been aware. 

The court decided to reduce the number of fine days from 90 to 36 due to the time that has already passed since the date of the incident. 

The defense has thirty days to appeal to the Federal Court. 
 

 

 

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