Doncaster chef killed by avalanche while skiing in Swiss Alps

Jamie Clark, 38, was killed when he was among ten people caught up in the avalanche on the slopes near the popular Alpine resort of Verbier on Monday.

The former McAuley pupil was named by friends on social media and had been living in Switzerland for much of the last decade, according to reports.

He was among 10 people swept away by the avalanche to the east of Geneva, on Monday morning.

Eight escaped uninjured, local police said, while one was flown to hospital with serious injuries.

The avalanche occurred outside the piste between the Verbier ski area and 'Les Attelas' while the risk was three out of five, meaning “considerable” danger.

Heartbroken family and friends shared pictures of Jamie, known to pals as "Fireman Jamie", as they paid tribute to him on social media.

One wrote: "Jamie would want us all to get together - to meet & most of all DANCE!!!!! Love you all.

"My deepest condolences to his family.

"I’d been in regular contact & he was loving life in Verbier & happy healthy. Sad freak accident."

Another friend, who posted that photo of Jamie and another man, wrote: "These were the best times. RIP Fireman Jamie.

Another friend wrote: "We lost a beautiful human being, taken from us far too soon.

"I will miss you from this day until my last my brother, and one day I’ll see you again up there.

"May you rest in peace Jamie Clark. We love you."

The local police force said: "On the morning of Monday, January 18 an avalanche swept away ten skiers outside the ski area in the Vacheret sector of Verbier.

"One person died and another was injured. The other skiers are unharmed.

"A snow drift came loose and carried the skier as well as another person who had been further down at the time.

"The flow then buried eight other skiers who were even lower."

Several helicopters, search teams and sniffer dogs were sent to the site.

Ski resorts in Switzerland remain open despite the coronavirus pandemic.