British kayaker dies in tragic accident on the Durance River in France

A British man died while kayaking on the Durance River in southeastern France on Tuesday, June 12.

A rescue operation was launched on Tuesday afternoon to “help kayakers in distress on the river,” police in the Hautes-Alpes department said on X.

Local media reports that a group of British kayakers got into difficulties on the river, which flows near Briançon in the Hautes-Alpes department.

Three people were seen struggling in the river, two trying to help a third who had collapsed, the newspaper reports Dauphiné Liberé reported.

Two people were rescued unharmed. One man, an Englishman and about 50 years old, could not be resuscitated.

“I confirm the death of a man of English nationality,” said prosecutor Marion Lozac’hmeur Dauphiné Liberé.

The newspaper said the kayakers were part of an organized group on the river. Kayaking is a popular activity in the area.

An investigation has been launched into the cause of the incident. High water levels due to snowmelt appear to have been a factor. Provence reported.

The incident came after the death of an Irish kayaker in Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye on Monday, the newspaper reported.