MOUNTAIN BIKER SHOT DEAD IN ALPS
WELSHMAN ‘HIT BY YOUNG HUNTER’S STRAY BULLET’:
A WELSH mountain biker has been killed after he was shot dead by a hunter in the French Alps.
Marc Sutton, 34, from Caerphilly, owned a restaurant in the ski resort of Les Gets, Haute-Savoie.
The young hunter, who reportedly went into “deep shock” after realising what had happened, is now being investigated on suspicion of “aggravated manslaughter”.
The tragedy occurred in woods in nearby Montriond at around 7pm on Saturday as Mr Sutton sped through “thick” woodland in fading light, the Mirror reported.
Philippe Toccanier, prosecutor for the Thonon-Les-Bains region, told the Associated Press (AP) that the death was believed to be an accident.
He said the 34-year-old cyclist certainly “couldn’t be confused with game, as he had a coloured helmet and a coloured mountain bike”.
Mr Toccanier said the victim was cycling down a mountain in the Montriond area at around 6pm when he passed near a group of game hunters.
An investigating source told the Mirror: “Marc is thought to have died instantly after being hit by a bullet fired by a 22-year-old hunter.
“The accident happened on Saturday evening in thick woods close to the ski resort of Montriond, at about 6pm.
“The shooter went into deep shock when he realised what he had done. He now faces trial and prison.”
Mr Sutton is said to have been settled in the region for a number of years. His body will now be subject to a post-mortem examination to determine the exact cause of death.
Speaking yesterday, the source added that the shooting occurred close to sundown, with dozens of paramilitary police officers descending on the area.
The Morzine Source Magazine shared a picture of Mr Sutton on Facebook, showing him flying through the air on his bike in green and yellow shorts and a blue helmet.
The image was captioned: “There are simply no words to describe how horrible this news is. Our hearts are breaking for you guys Chez Toi Morzine Wild Beets Kitchen.”
Replying to the post, one user wrote: “This is absolutely devastating. Everyone in our community will be affected by last night’s accident. So very sad for Marc and everyone with him.” And another posted: “Take care everyone and always wear bright colours in the mountains. Deepest sympathy to Marc’s family.”
His death is the latest in a series of shooting tragedies involving passers-by being killed or severely wounded during France’s hunting season, which started last month.
In Saturday’s incident, up to 18 people were taking part in a hunt when Mr Sutton sped down a wooded path on his bike, according to the investigating source.
“He was on a popular and well-used track, although it was hard to get to and would not have been very busy as darkness approached,” said the investigating source. “It may be that he was mistaken for a fast-moving animal.”
Following the incident, the suspect was admitted to hospital suffering from “severe shock”, meaning he could not immediately be interviewed.
There are frequent calls for the hunting of boar, deer and other animals to be banned in France because of the number of deaths and injuries that have resulted from it.
In 2016, 18 people were killed in hunting accidents in France.
A spokesperson for the Foreign & Commonwealth Office told our website Wales Online: “We are in contact with local authorities about the death of a British man in France, and we are providing assistance to his family.”