Doctor dies in 30ft plunge while skiing in French Alps

A young doctor from Edinburgh has died in a skiing accident while on a family holiday in the French Alps.

William Reid, 25, is thought to have taken a wrong turn before plunging over a 30ft cliff onto concrete below.

The Edinburgh Evening News reported that medics battled in vain to save his life in front of his partner and step-brother.

Mr Reid’s family stated he was “an expert skier but tragically made a split-second error which cost him his life”.

A statement released by his father Dr Hamish Reid, mother Sarah, step-mother Anne, brother Cameron and step-brother Murray, said: “His family were immensely proud of his achievements but more than that they were proud of who William was as a person.

“He was an extremely kind and caring son, brother, step-brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and good friend to so many people.

“William will be missed by so many people, he was an exceptional young man.”

Mr Reid graduated from Aberdeen Medical School with a Bachelor of Medicine and a BSC in Sports Science in 2018.

During his studies he completed a placement at Harvard Medical School where he worked at the Spaulding Rehabilitation Institute in Boston.

Mr Reid met his partner of nearly six-years, Kirsty Summers, while both were first year students at the University of Aberdeen.

His family said they were “utterly devoted to one another” and planned to buy a property together in Edinburgh this year.

The keen footballer and rugby player was undergoing foundation training in Newcastle as he prepared for a future career as a surgeon.

He was due to find out if he had secured a place on the Scottish orthopaedic training programme.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) said it was providing the family assistance.

A FCO spokesperson said: “We are providing assistance to the family of a British man who died in a skiing accident in France, and are in contact with the local authorities.”