British restaurateur ‘shot dead by hunters’ while cycling in Alps identified

AN investigation is continuing into the death of a British restaurant owner who was reportedly shot and killed by hunters while mountain-biking in the French Alps.

French ski resort Les Gets confirmed that the victim was Marc Sutton.

He owned a local health food restaurant called Wild Beets Kitchen.

Les Gets said the 34-year-old lived in Essert-Romand.

His death is being treated as accidental, prosecutors said.

A spokesman said: “Everyone’s thoughts are currently with his family and close friends.

“An official inquiry is under way into the circumstances surrounding it.”

French prosecutors said Mr Sutton, originally from Caerphilly in South Wales, had been cycling down a mountain in the Montriond area at around 6pm on Saturday when he passed close to a group of hunters.

Philippe Toccanier, prosecutor for the Thonon-Les-Bains re-

Tragic death: Marc Sutton

gion, said that Mr Sutton’s death was believed to be an accident. Mr Toccanier said he certainly “couldn’t be confused with game, as he had a coloured helmet and a coloured mountain bike”.

A 22-year-old man was taken to hospital suffering from shock and is being investigated on suspicion of aggravated manslaughter.

The Foreign Office said: “We are in contact with the local authorities about the death of a British man in France.

“We are providing assistance to his family.”