An Italian skier and his girlfriend died after falling 600 meters and were found hugging

Tragic accident in Mount Zerbion (Italy) at an altitude of 2719 meters. A couple of climbers from the Aosta Valley, Jean Daniel Pession28-year-old ski instructor and World Cup cross-country skier with Team Italy, and Elisa ArlianA 26-year-old cross-country ski instructor died after falling from a mountain peak while working.

Italian media suggest that the accident occurred on the ridge of the mountain and the couple fell more than 600 meters. “They were about to reach the top, and literally a foot away from them, the mountain they loved so much was betrayed. When they found them, they were still entwined, as if in a final embrace,” RAI commented.

The couple’s parents raised the alarm after the skiers did not return at the usual time. They intervened at the scene three helicopters: SA1, SA3 (with a mixed crew of the Alpine Rescue Corps and Aosta Valley firefighters) and Guardia di Finanza-Sagf.

The lifeless bodies of the two were noticed by the helicopter crew. Financial Guard, equipped to detect mobile phone signals, and discovered on the northern slope of Mt. The doctors could only declare his death.

Jean Daniel Pession, a long-time ski instructor, was also a member of the Italian World Cup team. He achieved the best results of his entire career in 2021, finishing fifteenth in the final World Championship standings, and at the World Championships in Vars in 2022 he finished 22nd.

“This is a terrible tragedy for the world of winter sports, especially skiing,” he lamented. Flavio RodaPresident of the Italian Winter Sports Federation.