French authorities have reported the death of a 29-year-old man who lost his life after falling from a gondola lift he was riding with a friend in the Alpine skiing resort of Les Deux Alpes. The tragic incident took place in Isère, France where on Saturday as the pair were descending from Les Deux Alpes glacier located at an altitude of 2,600m.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the two men were playing around inside the cabin when the victim intentionally threw himself against the Plexiglas wall, which shattered under his weight.

This caused him to fall approximately 40 meters (130 feet) and impale himself on a beacon.

Emergency services were unable to save him, and he was pronounced dead on the spot.

Grenoble public prosecutor’s office said: “They were drunk and horsing around in the gondola lift when the older one went through the Plexiglas wall.”

Fabrice Boutet, the director of the SATA, which manages the Deux Alpes ski lifts, said that this is the first time such an accident has occurred in the resort.

An investigation has been initiated, and an expert report is expected, according to Eric Vaillant, the Grenoble public prosecutor.

It has been reported that the two skiers were intoxicated and alone in the cabin, which can usually accommodate up to 20 passengers.

The scene was filmed by the victim’s friend with his phone, the public prosecutor’s office told local radio.

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The victim is described as 1.90m tall and weighed more than 100kg.

Francebleu reports that toxicological analyses, including for alcohol and drugs, are being conducted

The SATA, which manages the ski lifts, confirmed that the gondola lift was in perfect condition and had passed all safety tests Fabrice Boutet, the director of SATA, told the regional French outlet.

In response to the tragedy, a psychological support cell has been established for the resort’s ski patrollers, as confirmed by Sata Group on Saturday evening.

The Les Deux Alpes ski area remained open to the public on Sunday.

Mr Boutet told Francebleu: “The door of the cabin did not open under the impact, it was the window that broke.”

“It’s terrible,” he added. “It’s the first time such an accident has happened in the station.”

Additional reporting by Maria Ortega.

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