Daughter saw mother’s fatal collapse on ski trip

Cheryl Fairbrother, 45, was making the ascent up Monetier’s L’Yret at Serre Chevalier in the southern Alps with her 19-year-old daughter, Jade Ramsden, when she fell ill.

Attempts to resuscitate her failed and she died before reaching hospital.

Cheryl, a machinist, had flown out for a week’s skiing with her partner of more than 25 years, Stephen Ramsden, and to visit Jade who had been working in the French resort.

Mr Ramsden, 49, and Jade were due to fly home over the weekend to be reunited with family, including Matt Ramsden, 18, the couple’s other child.

Mr Ramsden’s parents, Roland and Ann Ramsden, of Cragg Vale, near Halifax, have spoken of their shock.

Roland Ramsden, 81, said his son, a mechanic, had been using a nearby slope when Cheryl, of Mytholmroyd, collapsed.

He said: “We are not aware of any health problems. She was fit, did a lot of walking and running and ate healthily.

“Stephen is in bits,” he added. Mr Ramsden’s mother, Ann, 75, said the tragedy did not make sense as Cheryl was fit and healthy.

She said: “She was no age at all and a nice lass who was happy-go-lucky.

“I’ve never seen her lose her temper.

“When we heard the news Roland and I just gasped and looked at each other.

“Jade was sobbing. She had been pleased her mum and dad had gone out to see her.”

Family friend Rob Crossley said a skiing accident would have been a shock, but more acceptable than the sudden death of a fit person.

“It’s like being in a bad dream,” he said.

Jade Ramsden, 19, who was working at Serre Chevalier when her mother Cheryl went to visit, said the incident happened last Thursday afternoon as they ascended the Vallons piste at the resort.

She said a trained lifeguard and two medics had helped her mother when she arrived at the top of the mountain, which Jade described as a main base, before she was taken by helicopter to hospital.

Jade said the cause of death was suspected to be a heart attack but that had not been confirmed.