A terrible accident that mourns French cinema. Actor Gaspard Ulliel died on Wednesday January 19. “victim of a skiing accident” at the age of 37, his family announced in a press release sent to AFP by his agent. A few hours later, the President of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, expressed his “great sadness”. Here is what we know about this drama which put end to a brilliant career that began more than twenty years ago.
An accident on the slopes of the resort of La Rosière, in Savoie
The accident that cost the life of Gaspard Ulliel took place Tuesday, January 18 in the afternoon on the slopes of the resort of La Rosière, nestled on the borders of the French and Italian Alps. This family ski area in the Haute-Tarentaise massif, in Savoie, is renowned for its easy slopes. The weather and snow conditions were good that day. “It was great weather”, Jean Regaldo, director of the La Rosière ski area, told France 3 Auvergne Rhône-Alpes.
At 3:58 p.m., Gaspard Ulliel is “collided with another skier (…) when he had just turned left, presumably to join his friends who were there” on another track, specified the prosecutor of Albertville, Anne Gaches. The shock took place at a junction between two blue slopes of the station, “Tétras” and “Gélinotte”. “It’s not a particularly accident-prone area. It’s the first time we’ve had such a serious accident there,” said Jérémie Silva, director of the La Rosière tourist office, at Dauphine liberated.
The two skiers then fell to the ground, according to the first testimonies and the observations made on the spot.
Gaspard Ulliel was not wearing a helmet
At the time of this accident, the actor was not wearing a helmet. But this safety equipment, not mandatory, “wouldn’t have necessarily made a difference”, according to the prosecutor of Albertville, Anne Gaches.
Care at the Grenoble University Hospital
Shortly after the accident, witnesses called the emergency services and trackers arrived on the scene. The actor was then “motionless, unconscious in the snow”, said the prosecutor of Albertville. The station doctor joined the emergency services soon after.
Around 5 p.m., Gaspard Ulliel was transported by a French Air Rescue helicopter to the Grenoble University Hospital. Victim of a serious head trauma, his vital prognosis was engaged, according to the Dauphiné liberated. The actor died the next day in hospital around 4 p.m.
The second skier is unharmed
The other skier involved in the collision with the actor is out “unscathed” of the accident, according to the prosecutor of Albertville. It is not yet known whether this skier was stationary or moving at the time of the impact. No other information about this person has been revealed.
An investigation is open
The Albertville prosecutor’s office has opened an investigation, entrusted to the Republican Security Company (CRS) of the Alps. Hearings have already taken place, including that of the other skier involved, according to The Parisian. A psychological support unit has been set up for the runway service.