British man killed in snowboarding accident on holiday in Andorra

Authorities in ski resort say 59-year-old suffered heart attack after hitting tree at high speed

A British snowboarder has died after suffering a heart attack on the slopes at the Grandvalira ski resort in Andorra (iStock)

A British man has died following a snowboarding accident in Andorra, authorities in the principality have said.

The 59-year-old tourist is thought to have lost control and hit a tree while travelling at “high speed” in the Grandvalira ski resort on Monday.

It is understood the snowboarder had been on his own at the time of the incident and suffered a cardiac arrest.

In a statement, the Grandvalira resort said emergency teams had been dispatched in a bid to help the man.

“They transferred him to the bottom of the slope,” the statement said. “Despite all efforts to revive him, he died minutes later.”

“Grandvalira laments the loss of a British tourist and expresses the deepest condolences to his family and friends,” the statement added.

The incident is believed to have happened on the Avet slope, a black run in the resort recommended for experienced skiers.

Andorran police are investigating possible causes for the incident.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: “Our staff are supporting the family of a British man following his death in Andorra, and are in contact with the local authorities.”