Inquest Held into GB Snowboarder Who Died Following Collision

10th August 2022

An inquest has heard that Kayleigh Harris was on a day off from her job at a hotel Les Menuires in France 2016 when a skier collided with her after she fell. NEW

The 23-year old fell over on the slopes and a skier crashed into her, cracking her helmet and breaking her goggles.

The skier apologised, sped off and has never been identified.

It is reported that she said she was OK after the crash, but later complained of a headache and was sick.

She took some paracetamol but did not seek further medial help partly due to the cost, the inquest heard.

Overnight her breathing became shallow and she slipped into unconsciousness.

She was flown by helicopter to a hospital in Grenoble, but had a heart attack in the ambulance.

She spent two days on life support before it was switched off.

Her organs were donated to help save the lives of others.

A post-mortem in France said she suffered a significant blood clot in her skull.

“I don’t want to blame anyone, not even the skier, it was an accident,” said her mother, Suzanne Harris.

“But people should just be aware (of head injuries).”

The inquest found the cause of death was a head injury.

The Coroner Ms Samantha Marsh said she had no evidence to suggest Miss Harris would have survived if medical help had been sought sooner, but noted “she would at least have had a chance”.