STAFF at a French ski school where a Tadcaster student died in a tragic accident are said to be devastated.

The Press reported yesterday how Edward De Nunzio, 18, a former pupil of York’s Bootham School, had been killed in what was believed to be a 16ft fall from a chalet roof.

Edward was a student on a ski instructor course in Courchevel Le Praz run by New Generation.

Tom Saxlund, a director of the company, said the entire team at the ski school had been devastated to learn of the accident.

“The students on the same course as the young man were very upset and shocked when they were told of the accident,” he said.

“Our thoughts are naturally with the student’s family and friends at this very difficult time.”

He said New Generation, which operated small ski schools in nine resorts in the French Alps, had never before had a fatal accident in its 13-year history.