County climber survives 80ft fall

Wednesday 13th January 2010, 10:04AM GMT.

A Shropshire climber has survived after plunging 80ft from an ice cliff in France.

The man, who is believed to be Paul Smith, from Newcastle-on-Clun, near Craven Arms, was climbing the ice face with a group of six when the accident happened on Alpe d’Huez, in the south west of the country.

His fellow climbers raised the alarm before a mountain rescue team was mobilised.

He was airlifted to hospital on Monday afternoon and is believed to have suffered only a broken ankle.

A helicopter was used to transfer Mr Smith to North Grenoble Hospital, where he was believed to still be receiving treatment today.

Medics think Mr Smith has broken his ankle, but are still assessing the extent of any injuries to his back.

The group he was climbing with is understood to have been in the middle of a training exercise. Other reports suggest he was climbing a frozen waterfall.

Police in France said the climber was lucky to land on powdered snow which was more than a metre deep.

The drama took place at more than 2,200ft, two thirds of the way up Alpe d’Huez, which features in the closing stages of the Tour de France.

A spokesman for the Peloton Gendarme d’Haute Montange said: “His injuries could have been much worse if it wasn’t for the snow. He was very fortunate the conditions were so good.”

View more: Craven Arms news.