British gap year student Edward De Nunzio, 18, fell while jumping between chalet rooftops in Courchevel
A British gap year student plunged to his death after he leapt between chalet rooftops in the upmarket French ski resort of Courchevel.
Edward De Nunzio, 18, fell 16ft (4.8 metres) from the icy roof as he jumped between buildings in the early hours of Saturday. The trainee ski instructor, from Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, had been out with a friend who escaped unharmed.
His father, Tony De Nunzio, a former Asda chief executive, said family members were struggling to come to terms with his death. "We are absolutely devastated by this tragedy," he said.
"Edward was in Courchevel enjoying a three-month ski instructor course.
"He was a hugely talented young man with a bright future and we are overwhelmed by what has happened."
Edward, who studied at Bootham school and the Minster school in York, achieved three As and two A*s at A-level.
He had planned to do voluntary work in Peru and travel around South America later this year, before starting a geography degree at University College London in October.
French police are now working to determine the exact circumstances of his death.
Mr De Nunzio, who has flown out to France, is currently non-executive director of Boots, non-executive chairman of Pets at Home and executive chairman of Maxeda, a large retailer in the Netherlands.