Editor’s note: This article has been updated to reflect Poisson died Nov. 13, not Nov. 10 as first reported by The Associated Press.
The ski community is in mourning after French downhill skier David Poisson died following a training crash in Alberta Monday morning.
The 35-year-old was training in Nakiska, preparing for World Cup races in North America.
Alberta EMS received the call just before 9:30 a.m. and crews arrived to find Poisson dead.
According to a release from the RCMP Monday night, the skier “caught an edge and crashed through the safety netting striking a tree.”
They said medical teams were on scene immediately but were unable to resuscitate him.
The International Ski Federation/Federation Internationale de Ski (FIS) extended its condolences to Poisson’s family and friends in an online post Monday.
The FIS said he “died accidentally on Nov. 13 after a fall during downhill training at the Canadian resort of Nakiska.”
Resorts of the Canadian Rockies spokesperson Matt Mosteller said the Albertan and Canadian ski community is deeply saddened by news of the death.
“We can’t even fathom how much a family is going through and the pain they’re going to have this far away, too,” Mosteller told Global News. “We want them to know Nakiska cares.”
He didn’t have many details on the accident, but said the athletes have their own training routine specific to the competitions they’re preparing for.
“They’re high-level, highly talented athletes training. They’re the best in the world.”
The French skiing federation remembered Poisson as a “respected and accomplished athlete on the World Cup tour ever since his debut in 2004.”
“He was a bronze medalist in downhill at the 2013 World Championships and a podium finisher at the Santa Caterina World Cup downhill in 2015,” reads the post.
— With files from The Associated Press
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