A 35-year-old American man has died in a speed riding accident on the north face of the Aiguille du Midi, France, in what rescuers describe as a sudden and catastrophic loss of control.
The incident occurred shortly before 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 26, when witnesses raised the alarm after seeing the skier fall. According to PGHM Chamonix, the man had set off from a flat section just beyond the ridge of the north face when he lost control of his sail — the small paraglider wing used in the sport of speed riding.
The Peloton de Gendarmerie de Haute Montagne (PGHM) in Chamonix responded immediately, deploying a rescue helicopter to the scene. The Choucas 74 helicopter reached the area quickly, but rescuers found the victim unresponsive nearly 1,000 meters (3,280 feet) below his starting point. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
Several of the man’s friends, who were present in the area at the time of the accident, remained in contact with rescue teams during the search operation.
Authorities said the exact circumstances leading to the fall remain unclear. While a loss of control of the sail appears to have triggered the accident, mountain rescue officials noted that weather conditions at the time were not considered unusual.
The accident has once again drawn attention to the inherent risks of speed riding, a discipline that combines skiing with paragliding and is typically practiced in steep, high-alpine terrain. The north face of the Aiguille du Midi, in particular, is known for its exposure and technical difficulty, attracting experienced athletes but leaving little margin for error.
- Related: 20-Year-Old Speed-Rider Dies After 1,000-Meter Fall on North Face of Aiguille du Midi, France
It is not the first fatality at the location. In May 2025, a 20-year-old man also lost his life on the same face while speed riding.
The Aiguille du Midi, towering at 3,842 meters (12,605 feet), is a prominent launch point for extreme sports enthusiasts due to its accessibility via cable car and proximity to technical descents. But its high elevation, shifting weather conditions, and exposed terrain have long made it one of the most perilous areas in the Mont Blanc range.
Investigations into the latest accident are ongoing.
Dear chris go fly high you dear adventure driven soul