By Calvin Palmer
The bodies of three British tourists have been recovered in the French Alps. One of them, British teacher Christopher Hilton, had been missing for seven months.
Hilton, 32, of Stalybridge, Cheshire, disappeared after going for a solo hike on July 27 last year.
The other two tourists, Richard Ryan, 27, and Christopher Lockwood, 28, died when they fell down a cliff in the early hours of Thursday morning after trying to take a short cut back to their chalet from a bar where they had been drinking.
The bodies of Ryan and Lockwood, who were both from the Leeds area, were found in the “Black Coombe” ravine yesterday, near the Deux Alpes ski station east of Grenoble, according to French rescuers.
Hilton’s body was found by climbers partially covered in ice and snow on a ledge in the Oisans range of the central French Alps three days ago. He had fallen at least 100 meters, according to Grenoble Mountain Rescue.
He was holidaying with his parents Janet and Stephen at a camp site in Bourg d’Oisans, near Grenoble, when he went missing.
He told them he was going for a solo hike but never returned.
Hilton taught science at Littlemoss High School, Droylsden, where he was a popular and dedicated teacher.
In his spare time, he worked as a volunteer for Hyde United football club.
Club director Tony Beard today posted a tribute to his friend and colleague on the club’s Web site.
The statement read: “Chris was popular wherever he went. He worked tirelessly for our club and has been sorely missed these last few months.
“He had many friends at Hyde United and in non league football and today is a very sad day indeed for all concerned.
“Our thoughts and prayers go out to his parents, Janet and Stephen, and other members of his family and friends at this difficult time.”
A minute’s silence was observed before today’s game with AFC Telford.
[Based on reports by The Times and BBC News.]
