British Woman Dies After Rafting Accident in French Alps

A British woman has died following a white-water rafting accident on the Guisane River in the French Alps, authorities have confirmed.

The incident occurred just after noon local time on Saturday near Briançon, a commune in south-eastern France, according to regional prosecutor Marion Lozac’hmeur. The woman reportedly fell from her raft while navigating a section of the river known as “the wallet” during an organised group excursion.

Emergency services later located her on the riverbank and she was airlifted to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Despite efforts to save her, she died later that evening.

The victim has not yet been publicly identified.

The UK Foreign Office has confirmed the death of a British national in France and said it is in contact with local authorities to provide support.

French prosecutors have opened an investigation into involuntary manslaughter, and an autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death.

This is the second such tragedy in the area in just over a year. In June 2024, a British man died while kayaking on the nearby Durance River after strong snowmelt currents swept him away. Both the Guisane and Durance rivers are popular with white-water enthusiasts, particularly in early summer when glacial meltwater creates powerful rapids.

According to Briançon’s official website, these rivers are generally navigable for only a few months each year due to safety risks associated with fluctuating water levels and swift currents.