Two Skiers Killed in Head on Collision

Two skiers died on Sunday in an accident at a German ski area.

Mystery surrounds exactly what happened as the two men, a French and a German national aged 29 and 30 respectively, are reported to have been skiing on an almost flat beginner slope at the ski area of Feldberg when they appear to have collided.

The slope was described as "practically empty" and the accident happened at the end of the day after lifts had closed.

Adrian Probst from the local mountain rescue told news agency DPA said it was hard to explain how the fatal accident could have happened, but that although the slope where the accident occurred was fairly flat it was still possible to reach speeds of up to 100km/h at the site of the accident.

Police cordoned off the area and are interviewing witnesses, the exact cause of each death is not yet known. Both men are reported to have been wearing helmets.

Tragic news, but helmets are a precaution that save many other lives.

'Although slope was flat you can reach 100 km/hr, something going on with report there?

I actually think flat pistes can be dangerous as energy is not dissipated during a fall. Had a friend get off lift once and just tilted over and fell like a stone onto side of head. She was fine and got straight up the sound and mechanics of fall were horrible. At least with a decent slope the energy is spread / dissipated out over a big distance; does not help if you ski into a tree or a rock.

All things equal helmet is the way to go.

Easy to reach high speeds if the run is long and/or is accessible from steeper runs higher up (as in ADH). Very unfortunate to strike heads, though (if that's what happened)

With all due respect, I do think the reference to the helmets in OP title is inappropriate. It runs the risk of giving the impression that the helmets were somehow a factor in the deaths. The detail of the posting makes it clear that there is no reason for thinking that.

I would suggest that the title be amended to delete reference to the helmets. Perfectly reasonable to report in the body of the article that helmets were being worn.

Wanderer wrote:With all due respect, I do think the reference to the helmets in OP title is inappropriate.

Agreed, and fixed.

Clearly a horrible accident, and one can assume that one or both must have been carrying huge speed; but I expect most of us would admit to "opening the taps" on what we thought was an empty piste, on the last run down, from time to time. :(

If your time is up, your time is up, with or without a fashion accessory.

Brucie wrote:If your time is up, your time is up, with or without a fashion accessory.

:?: :?: :?: