A FIVE-YEAR-OLD girl has been killed when an adult skier crashed into her at high speed while she was on a ski trip in the Alps.
The child was in a lesson on the slopes when a man is said to have smashed into her - sparking a police investigation.
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The girl died following a skiing accident in the French Alps [STOCK IMAGE] Credit: Alamy 4
The girl died while skiing at a resort in the Alps 4
Flaine ski resort in France, where the shocking accident took place Credit: Alamy 4
French police have arrested a man in his 40s on suspicion on manslaughter Credit: Alamy
The girl, named locally as Ophélie, was airlifted to hospital, but tragically died before she arrived while still in the helicopter.
It is understood the family are Brits who live in Geneva, Switzerland and have second home in Les Carroz, a family ski resort in France less than an hour away.
Last night a 40-year-old local man was in police custody and an investigation was opened for manslaughter.
The man, from Haute-Savoie, was reportedly "extremely shocked" following the incident, French newspaper Le Dauphine reports.
The horrific accident happened yesterday morning at around 11am in the ski resort of Flaine.
The girl was on the Serpentine ski run which is classified as "blue", meaning an easy slope.
She was in a group ski lesson run by the national ski school, Ecole du Ski Fran？ais (ESF), with four other children.
The children were in single file behind the instructor near the edge of the piste.
The prosecutor overseeing the investigation said: "The child was in a single file behind the group and was about to make a right turn when she was very violently hit by the skier arriving at high speed who tried in vain to avoid her."
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An investigation was opened for manslaughter due to the alleged "violation of an obligation of safety and prudence”.
The skier, a volunteer firefighter, was said to be “in a state of significant shock”.
He administered first aid on the side of the piste. There was also a doctor present.
Despite attempts at resuscitation, the victim was pronounced dead at 1pm while being airlifted to hospital by helicopter.
An autopsy will take place on Monday to determine the cause of death.
The mayor of Araches-la-Frasse, Jean-Paul Constant, said emotions locally were still running high.
"Everyone was very shocked," he said.
He added that they were looking for a psychologist who speaks English to help the family, who have returned to Geneva.