Athletes mourn Alps death victim
The schoolboy who died with his father during an Alps adventure was a gifted city athlete.
Members of Marshall Milton Keynes Athletic Club are this week mourning Charlie Saunders, described by his coach as “a pleasure to watch”.
The 12-year-old died at the weekend during a father-and-son skiing trip to the Chamonix Valley area of the France Alps.
The pair had gone on a half day hike when Charlie slipped and fell.
Dad Peter called the emergency services but the line cut off before he could give their location.
It is believed Peter died trying to rescue Charlie. Their bodies were found on Sunday following a series of aerial searches.
The athletics club has put a statement on its website expressing its sympathy to Charlie’s mum Sandra and his sister Kate.
It read: ‘All Marshall Milton Keynes Athletic Club news was eclipsed this week by the reports that club member, 12-year-old Charlie Saunders, died with his father in a hiking accident.
“The entire club is saddened by this tragedy and our condolences go his to family and friends at this very sad time.’
Charlie’s sports coach Fiona Darling-Glinksi said the young athlete possessed “blistering” speed and ability and was the backbone of the athletics squad,
“Charlie had a well-balanced attitude to sport, never arrogant and always having fun whether in training or in competition,” she said,
“He was dependable and enthusiastic. He achieved county level with ease as and under 11 and under 13 and displayed potential to develop further as his training progressed.
He was a pleasure to coach and a pleasure to watch and we will never forget him.”
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Weather for Milton Keynes
Monday 20 May 2013
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 10 C to 19 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
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Temperature: 7 C to 14 C
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