Tributes paid to British skiers killed in Alps

Tributes have been paid to two Britons who fell hundreds of metres to their deaths while skiing in the French Alps.

Oscar Cassagneau-Francis and Rajen Mahendra, both from Cambridge, were on holiday in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc and skiing off-piste when they fell on Sunday morning, local rescue services said.

The alarm was raised just after 11am and mountain rescue services arrived within 10 minutes, but the two men were pronounced dead at the scene.

Emily Lang, a friend of Mr Cassagneau-Francis' at Netherhall School, said: "Oscar was an absolutely lovely guy, forever smiling, and laughing and making those around him smile too.

"I'll always remember his school jumper arms being covered in sports colours from shoulder to wrist.

"I'll be thinking of him and everyone who will be missing him today."

Mr Mahendra represented Cambridge in the National Touch Series.

Cambridge Touch Association said in a Facebook post: "Raj was a great athlete and tremendous sportsperson, but he was also friendly, helpful, kind and always smiling; he will be sorely missed by all his friends at the Cambridge Touch Association and in the wider touch community.

"Our thoughts go to his family at this dreadful time."