Swiss snowboard champion Estelle Balet killed in avalanche

Snowboarder Estelle Balet has been killed in an avalanche, Swiss police have said.

The 21-year-old Swiss athlete was struck by the snow slide early Tuesday morning, police said.

Balet - who recently won the Freeride World Tour - had been filming above Orsieres, near Switzerland’s southern border with France and Italy.

The star had been following another snowboarder, who wasn’t caught in the avalanche.

Police said in a statement that rescuers were able to free Balet, who had been wearing special safety equipment, but she died at the scene.

Police say they have launched an investigation into the cause of the incident.