Tribute to ‘talented’ schoolboy who died with father in Alpine tragedy

A SCHOOLBOY who died along with his father while on holiday in the French Alps was a “talented and very motivated boy”, his headteacher said yesterday.

Charlie Saunders, 12, “made a huge impact on the lives of everyone who knew him”, David Hudson, head of the Royal Latin School in Buckingham, said.

Charlie fell to his death at about 2pm on Saturday while on a walk with his father, Peter Saunders, 48, on a mountain trail in the Chamonix valley, near the Italian border.

Mr Saunders called the emergency services but is thought to have tumbled 200 metres while searching for his son. Their bodies were found together on Sunday morning after emergency services tried but failed to trace Mr Saunders’ call and launched a helicopter rescue.

Mr Hudson said of his pupil: “He was a popular boy and threw himself into school life with 100 per cent effort. Charlie loved a wide range of sports and especially the great outdoors.

“He will be hugely missed and we send our thoughts and prayers to his family, especially his mother and sister, at this tragic time.”

French police officer Patrice Ribes said Charlie and Mr Saunders had gone to the popular ski resort for a father-and-son weekend. He said they had summer shoes on but should have been wearing crampons, suitable for the winter conditions.

The rest of the family were still in the UK but were expected to travel to the Chamonix valley, he said.

A judicial inquiry is being carried out by the local gendarmerie and the bodies will be flown back to the UK later this week.