British man ‘shot dead by hunter’ while cycling in Alps

Suspect (22) taken to hospital for shock being investigated over alleged aggravated manslaughter

The victim, a man from Wales who lived in France, was cycling down a mountain int the Alps when he was reportedly shot. File photograph: Jean-Pierre Clatot/AFP/Getty Images
The victim, a man from Wales who lived in France, was cycling down a mountain int the Alps when he was reportedly shot. File photograph: Jean-Pierre Clatot/AFP/Getty Images

A British man who died in France was reportedly shot by a hunter while mountain biking in the Alps.

Philippe Toccanier, prosecutor for the Thonon-les-Bains region, told the Associated Press (AP) that the death on Saturday 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”.

French news agency AFP reported the victim owned a restaurant in the nearby sky resort of Les Gets.

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Mr Toccanier said the victim, a man from Wales who lived in France, was cycling down a mountain in the Montriond area at around 6pm when he passed near a group of game hunters.

A 22-year-old man was taken to hospital for shock and is being investigated on suspicion of aggravated manslaughter, according to AP.

The British foreign office said: “We are in contact with the local authorities about the death of a British man in France, and we are providing assistance to his family.” – PA