British ski instructor, 79, dies after smashing into trees on beginner slope
Ski instructor John Arnold, from Birmingham, is believed to have suffered 'a heart attack or stroke' before he crashed into trees on the slops of the Italian Alps
Talia ShadwellReporter
John Arnold, 79, was a veteran ski instructor from Birmingham (Image: Facebook)
A British ski instructor has died after crashing off a mountain slope in the Italian Alps.
John Arnold, 79, was found dead at the Champoluc ski resort in the Aosta Valley region of the Alps on Sunday, according to reports.
The experienced skier, from Great Barr, Birmingham, is reportedly thought to have lost control while taking a turn on a beginner slope before crashing into trees.
An official who helped recover Mr Arnold's body told the Times "He either suffered a stroke or a heart attack which caused him to lose control and leave the slope, or was fatally injured when he hit a tree."
The qualified ski instructor had organised annual trips to the Alps, and was president of the Midland Ski Club.
He is believed to have been skiing alone on a beginner-level blue run when he veered into a stand of trees, according to the newspaper.
His body was reportedly found by staff checking the slopes before they closed the ski field for the day.
He was found dead in the Valle d'Aosta region of the Italian Alps (Image: Getty Images)
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They spotted Mr Arnold in his brightly-hued ski gear.
He was said to have been wearing a helmet.
Mr Arnold had joined the Midland Ski Club in 1974 and had qualified as an instructor in 1984, according to Mail Online.
He taught at Ackers Adventures dry ski slope in Birmingham.
A Midland Ski club member told the Mail his death had come as a shock.
They said: "Everyone is very upset and devastated. We are still trying to find out what has happened.
"He had been a member of the club for years and was well known, having been on the committee and president."