British tourists killed in ravine fall

Two British tourists have died after falling down a ravine in Les Deux Alpes following a night out with friends.

Richard Ryan, 27, and Christopher Lockwood, 28, fell while returning home after a night out in the ski resort. The pair were both from Leeds and were last seen by friends leaving a popular British-style pub to return to their chalet at about 2am last Thursday. The two men were "probably very drunk" when they fell into the Combe Noir ravine, police in the resort have said. A Deux Alpes police spokesman added, "Their friends alerted us that they were missing in the early hours of Thursday. Interviews with friends also revealed both men had drunk large quantities of beer that evening. The spot where they fell is very steep and, although unprotected, there are signs everywhere." The two were among a party of eight British skiers who were due to fly back to Britain at the weekend. Their families have been informed by the Foreign Office.