Rachel Ward's parents' pain at death of daughter

Jan 17 2009 by Neil Atkinson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

THE parents of a former Greenhead College student who froze to death on a French skiing holiday have spoken of their agony at the loss of their “beautiful daughter”.

Rachel Ward, 20, a Durham University undergraduate, was found dead in the Alpine resort of Val d’Isere on Tuesday morning after falling into an icy river.

Her parents, Edna and Colin, and her brother, Richard, of Halifax, who paid an emotional visit to the scene on Thursday released a statement saying they were “devastated”.

The statement said the “gifted” natural sciences student had been enjoying an evening with friends at a pub in Val d’Isere when she had decided to return to her accommodation.

“Police statements confirm that Rachel had not been drinking excessively,” the statement said.

“After taking a short cut over the piste, it appears that Rachel became lost. She phoned a friend telling him she could not locate the accommodation.

“It is believed Rachel may have slipped into a shallow river and was tragically overcome by the extreme cold and succumbed to hypothermia.

“Her body was discovered by a local man and it was evident Rachel had been attempting to climb from the river.”

The statement added: “Rachel’s family are devastated at the loss of their beautiful daughter who was a gifted student and sportswoman.”

Didier Jumel, Chief of Police of Val d’Isere, said he accompanied Miss Ward’s parents and brother as they visited the scene of her death.