Avalanche Tragedy: Church Service For Victims

A service has been held to remember the nine victims of the deadly avalanche in the French Alps.

Some 100 local residents and friends of those who lost their lives gathered in the Saint Michel church in the centre of Chamonix.

As each of the names was read out by British lay preacher Barbara Falkiner, a candle was lit on the altar.

The service included readings from the Bible and poetry including the passage, in French: "Wonderful mountains, beautiful mountains that thrill, that press us to climb, inviting us to excel. Places of pleasure and commitment."

"Mountains - unpredictable, always unexpected , always risky adventure."

Three Britons were among the dead - 55-year-old mountain guide Roger Payne, as well as neighbours and friends from York, 48-year-old John Taylor and Steve Barber, aged 47.

Mr Payne, who was well known in Chamonix and other mountain ranges around the world, was remembered by his step-brother Keith Pritchard.

Mr Pritchard told Sky News: "He was outgoing and so full of life. Every photograph he's got a smile in and he never seems to age.

"Mountaineering was his life. He was a wonderful guy. I said to Mum, 'keep calm and carry on and just remember he died doing what he loved.'"

Mrs Taylor said her husband, who was father to Emma, 10, and Louise, eight, had climbed Mont Blanc twice previously.

She said: "We are all truly devastated about this loss.

"He was a highly-respected climber and this event represents a significant loss to the UK climbing community."

Mr Barber's long-term partner Donna Rogers, with whom he had a daughter, 10-year-old Francesca, said: "As might be expected, the family and I are all devastated at the loss of Steve and his close friend John.

"Steve, like John, loved the outdoors and was a keen walker. He always wanted to climb Mont Blanc, an ambition that this trip was to fulfil."

The route taken by the men who died will not be closed.

Local officials have said it was an unpreventable accident and was sheer bad luck the trekkers were crossing when the ice and snow became dislodged.

Sky News also spoke to 61-year-old Irishman Paul MacMahon, who was making the ascent with his son Peter.

Both men are doctors and arrived on the scene shortly after the avalanche, providing comfort and supplies to the injured.

Paul MacMahon, who was tackling the climb with experienced Slovenian guide Clemens Gricar, said his slow pace probably saved their lives.

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Source: http://web.orange.co.uk/article/news/avalanche_tragedy_church_service_for_victims

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