Friends of a third-year Oxford history undergraduate who died of a heart attack in the French Alps have said they thought he was “invincible”.
The 22-year-old student, named by friends on social media as Matt Smith, was found after the first night of the Oxford and Cambridge universities’ ski trip in Val Thorens on Sunday morning.
Thousands of Oxbridge students arrived at the French ski resort, the highest in Europe, at the weekend for the annual event.
Smith, who was in his third year reading history at St John’s College and according to Facebook had recently completed a three-month internship as a junior press officer at Sotheby’s living in London, was described by friends as a “smashing lad” who was full of “fun and adventure”.
Eóin Barrett-Fulton wrote on Facebook:
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In a statement Alex Jelicic, the president of Oxford University Ski and Snowboard Club, said: “We were all shocked to hear the news of Matt’s untimely death yesterday. He was a valued member of the club, not least in his capacity as social secretary last year, and he has made a lasting impression on all who were lucky enough to know him personally.
“He was well known for being a fun-loving, adventurous individual who brought good humour with him at all times. We are proud to have had him serve on our committee, and he will be sorely missed by all members of the club.”
A spokesman for Sotheby’s auction house in London, where Smith undertook an internship in the press office for three months in September, said: “We were extremely sad to hear of Matt’s death. Our thoughts are with his family.”
His brother, Harry, wrote on Facebook: “I love you so much, Matt. Rest well above the clouds.”
A University of Oxford spokesman said: “We would like to express our deep sadness at the tragic death and send our condolences to his family and friends.
“While we await the findings of the official investigation we are offering support to students who may have been affected. Members of the college were invited to gather yesterday to remember him, and any member of the college who is particularly affected by this sad news has been encouraged to contact the chaplain or any member of the welfare team.”
According to a Swiss newspaper, Le Matin, his friends were unable to revive him after finding him at about 8am on Sunday, prompting them to call the emergency services. Paramedics were also unable to save him and he is suspected of having suffered a heart attack. Gendarmes have said an autopsy will be carried out later in the week.
It is understood that he had arrived in Val Thorens by coach with a group of friends from the UK on Saturday.
The annual trip is a fixture on the social calendars of both universities, with publicity for this year’s event billing it as the biggest ski party in the world. Its advertising reads: “Those lucky enough to attend can ski all day on the slopes of one of the best ski areas in the world, and party all night.”
A spokesman for Nuco Travel, which organised this year’s event, told the Varsity student newspaper that “sadly one of our passengers passed away on Sunday 4 December 2016. At this time, to respect their family’s and friends’ privacy, we will not be commenting further.”
The first varsity ski trip was held in Switzerland in 1922 and attracts more than 3,000 young people a year, with a standard self-catering package costing £339.
A spokeswoman for the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: “We are supporting the family of a British national who died in France on 4 December. We are in contact with the local authorities.”