A British woman has died following a white-water rafting accident in the French Alps, authorities confirmed over the weekend. The tragic incident occurred on Saturday afternoon near Briançon, a popular adventure sports destination in south-eastern France.
The woman, whose identity has not yet been made public, was part of an organised rafting excursion on the Guisane river when she fell from her raft at around midday local time (11:00 BST), according to regional prosecutor Marion Lozac’hmeur.
Local firefighters reported that the woman was found unconscious on the riverbank after being carried downstream by the current. She was airlifted by helicopter to a nearby hospital in critical condition but succumbed to her injuries later that evening.
Speaking to the French news agency AFP, Lozac’hmeur confirmed, “The victim unfortunately died yesterday evening,” and said an autopsy will be conducted to determine the exact cause of death. A formal investigation into “involuntary manslaughter” has also been opened to examine whether safety protocols were followed during the rafting trip.
The incident took place in a stretch of the Guisane river known locally as “the wallet”, which is noted for its powerful currents and technical rapids. The river, fed by melting snow and glaciers, is a popular but challenging spot for white-water activities during early summer.
The UK Foreign Office released a brief statement on Sunday acknowledging the woman’s death and confirming that they are in contact with local French authorities. “We are supporting the family of a British woman who died in France and are in touch with the local authorities,” the statement said.
This is not the first fatality involving British tourists in the region. In June 2024, a British man died while kayaking on the nearby Durance river under similar conditions. That incident followed a period of intense snowmelt, which had increased the river’s flow and danger level.
Both the Guisane and the Durance rivers attract thrill-seekers for their rafting and kayaking potential but are only navigable for a short window each year—typically between May and July—due to seasonal snowmelt.
While tour operators in the area typically require participants to wear safety equipment and follow guided instructions, the strong and unpredictable alpine currents can still pose a significant risk.
Local officials in Briançon have urged tour operators to review safety procedures and assess the suitability of river conditions before each outing.
As of Monday morning, neither local authorities nor the tour company involved have released further information about the incident or the safety measures in place at the time.
