Family 'overwhelmed' after British student dies in ski chalet rooftop plunge

The family of a British gap year student who plunged to his death from a chalet rooftop in an upmarket French ski resort said they are "overwhelmed" by what has happened.

Edward De Nunzio, 18, fell 16ft from the icy roof as he jumped between buildings in Courchevel during the early hours of Saturday.

The trainee ski instructor, from Tadcaster, North Yorkshire, had been out with a friend who escaped unharmed.

His father, former Asda chief executive Tony De Nunzio, said relatives were struggling to come to terms with his death.

"We are absolutely devastated by this tragedy," he said.

"Edward was in Courchevel enjoying a three-month ski instructor course.

"He was a hugely talented young man with a bright future and we are overwhelmed by what has happened."

Edward De Nunzio, who studied at Bootham School and the Minster School in York, achieved three As and two A*s at A-level.

He had planned to do voluntary work in Peru and travel around South America later this year, before starting a geography degree at University College London in October.

French police are now working to determine the exact circumstances of his death.

Tony De Nunzio, who has flown out to France, is currently non-executive director of Boots, non-executive chairman of Pets at Home and executive chairman of Maxeda, a large retailer in the Netherlands.