The family of a seven-year-old boy who fell to his death while skiing in France have described him as a “daring, outgoing, determined little boy”.
Carwyn Scott-Howell, from Talybont-on-Usk, near Brecon, fell to his death in the French Alps on April 10, during a family skiing holiday.
In a statement released through the Foreign Office, his family described Carwyn as an “adorable, caring person” who learned to ski from the age of three.
'Utter devastation'
They added he was a “very competent skier and snowboarder”.
The statement went on to explain how the family became separated on their last run of the day on Friday afternoon.
It said: “The family were all enjoying their last ski run over the small jumps and bumps at the side of the slope together, when Carwyn’s sister lost her ski on a jump and at this point Carwyn skied ahead.
“The family cannot explain their feeling of utter devastation with a vast void in their hearts.
“The family would like to thank all their friends and family for their support at this time and the vast help from the British Consulate.”
The Foreign Office have confirmed that the incident occurred in Flaine, about 40 miles north west of Chamonix.
Pupils offered support
Carwyn was a pupil at Ysgol Y Bannau in Brecon.
Head teacher Emyr Jones told the BBC that the school would be offering support to pupils returning after their Easter holidays.
“We are all grieving,” he said.
“Normally, children would be coming back full of excitement about what’s happened with their families over the two weeks [Easter holidays].
“Unfortunately, I’m sure many of them will have heard the sad news of losing Carwyn over the weekend.”
He added: “Our role as a school will be to support the children to come to terms with what has happened and to respond to their needs during the day.
“We are all grieving and Powys [council] staff will be in to support not only us as members of staff but also here to support the children as well.”
Left a marked ski slope
Police said Carwyn fell 160ft (49m) after straying off the piste.
Police chief Patrick Poirot, head of the mountain rescue division in the nearby town of Annecy, said that police believed the boy did not know where to go after losing his parents and skied in the wrong direction.
He said: “He left the marked ski slope and probably skied to the top of a cliff.
“He then stopped, removed his skis, walked a little way and then fell.”
