Tributes paid to 'ray of sunshine' woman from Dunoon killed in avalanche in Argentina while skiing

Tributes have been paid to a woman described as a “ray of sunshine” who died in an avalanche while skiing with friends in Argentina.

Andrea Marshall was reported to have been swept away while on the mountain following a magnitude D3 avalanche around 5pm.

The body of the 27-year-old was recovered on Cerro López, in the city of Bariloche, around 11pm on Wednesday by rescue teams.

Andrea was believed to be working as a ski instructor at a centre in Bariloche as part of an exchange programme.

Glasgow Caledonian University, where Andrea was a former student, treasurer of the Snowsports Club and president of the Equestrian Club, described her as an “exceptional” student.

Andrea Marshall was killed in an avalanche at around 5.15pm on Wednesday. Instagram

A spokesperson said: “The thoughts of everyone at Glasgow Caledonian University are with Andrea’s family and friends at this desperately sad time.

“Andrea was an extremely dedicated student and received an award from our Students’ Association for her exceptional contribution to student life during her time with us.”

Dunoon Grammar School, where Andrea was deputy head girl before she left in 2013, also paid tribute to the 27-year-old.

They said: “Andrea was a very outgoing girl with a lovely nature. She was talented and was described by her former teacher as a ray of sunshine.

“She had loads of friends and was very easy to get on with, and took time to come back to the school and deliver a talk to pupils who had an interest in business.”

Andrea was understood to have been living in the Aran Valley in the Spanish Pyrennes.

Two survivors of the avalanche have been named locally as Augusto Gruttadauria, from the city of Cordoba, and local man Christian Erauskin. Both were treated for hypothermia.

Argentinian television network TVP reported that one of the survivors used Andrea’s phone to give their location.

A spokesperson for the Foreign Office said: “We are supporting the family of a British woman who died in Argentina and are in contact with the local authorities.”