Family pay tribute to ski death boy, 7, from Powys

Carwyn Scott-Howell died when he fell from a cliff edge after losing his way in the Alpine resort of Flaine on Friday.

In a statement released through the Foreign Office, his family said they were enjoying their last ski run together when Carwyn's sister "lost her ski on a jump and at this point Carwyn skied ahead".

The statement said: "Carwyn was an adorable caring person who gave so much love.

"Very daring outgoing determined little boy who's handsome smile lit up any room and made life full of laughter with never a dull moment. Seven years is too short a time to be an angel in the sky.

"Carwyn was a very competent skier and snowboarder who had started skiing at the age of three and spent several weeks each year skiing. We had spent the most happy ski holiday together in the French ski resort of Flaine."

The statement went on to explain how the family became separated on their last run of the day on Friday afternoon.

"The family were all enjoying their last ski run over the small jumps and bumps at the side of the slope together, when Carwyn's sister lost her ski on a jump and at this point Carwyn skied ahead," it said.

"The family cannot explain their feeling of utter devastation with a vast void in their hearts. The family would like to thank all their friends and family for their support at this time and the vast help from the British Consulate.

"The family now ask for time to grieve in private."

Local newspaper Le Dauphine Libere said Carwyn appeared to have travelled off-piste before falling at least 160 feet from a rocky outcrop.

His body was later spotted by a helicopter during a mountain rescue search.

Police chief Patrick Poirot, head of the mountain rescue division in the nearby town of Annecy, said: ''We think that after losing his parents, the little boy didn't know where to go and skied in the wrong direction.

''He left the marked ski slope and probably skied to the top of a cliff. He then stopped, removed his skis, walked a little way and then fell."

The family have a farm in the small village of Talybont-on-Usk in the Brecon Beacons, where Carwyn's parents Ceri and Rhys run an award-winning produce business and rent holiday cottages.

Liam Fitzpatrick, an independent county councillor for the village, said the community was "in absolute shock".

"He was seven years old, it's horrendous. A tragic, tragic accident," he said.

"We just can't comprehend it.

"It's a small village and everyone knows each other, especially his parents who are well-known because of their business.

"There will be massive support here for them when they come back. The community will be ready to assist in any way it possible can.

"It's impossible to know what they are going through at the moment."