Oxford student who died on Alps ski trip named

An Oxford student who died during a ski trip in the French Alps has been named by friends and family as Matt Smith.

Mr Smith was found unconscious in his chalet room on Sunday morning during a Varsity trip in the upmarket resort of Val Thorens, local reports said.

His brother Harry wrote on Facebook: "I love you so much, Matt. Rest well above the clouds."

Another friend wrote: "Still don't believe it, he was taken far too soon. We all thought he was invincible. I'll always love you Matt and I hope you're resting better now. You'll forever be one of my oldest and greatest friends."

Mr Smith was a student at St John's College and was studying history.

According to his LinkedIn profile he was a qualified snowboard instructor, was secretary of the university's ski and snowboard club and played rugby for the first XV as well as being a member of the college's first VIII rowing team.

In a statement 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."

Thousands of students from Oxford and Cambridge universities attend the popular annual Varsity ski trip, which dates back to 1921.

A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office said: "We are supporting the family of a British national who died in France on December 4. We are in contact with the local authorities."