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Carwyn Scott-Howell tribute: Family remember 'very daring outgoing determined little boy' who was 'very competent skier'

Statement from family explains that Carwyn had gone on ahead from the group after his sister lost her ski on a jump,

Josh Barrie
Monday 13 April 2015 06:18 BST
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Carwyn Scott-Howell, seven, was a competent skier
Carwyn Scott-Howell, seven, was a competent skier (Facebook)

The family of the seven-year-old boy who died while on a skiing holiday in the French Alps have paid tribute to a boy who “made life full of laughter”.

Carwyn Scott-Howell, from Brecon in Wales, was on holiday with his mother, father, brother and sister in the resort of Flaine when he fell from a cliff edge after getting lost.

His family have released a statement through the Foreign Office in which they described him as a “very competent skier and snowboarder.”

They say: "Carwyn was an adorable caring person who gave so much love,” and add that he was a “very daring outgoing determined little boy whose handsome smile lit up any room and made life full of laughter with never a dull moment. Seven years is too short a time to be an angel in the sky.

"Carwyn was a very competent skier and snowboarder who had started skiing at the age of three and spent several weeks each year skiing. We had spent the most happy ski holiday together in the French ski resort of Flaine."

The family also explain that Carwyn had gone on ahead from the group after his sister lost her ski on a jump, and the family had become separated, according to AP.

"The family were all enjoying their last ski run over the small jumps and bumps at the side of the slope together, when Carwyn's sister lost her ski on a jump and at this point Carwyn skied ahead," the Foreign Office statement continues.

"The family cannot explain their feeling of utter devastation with a vast void in their hearts. The family would like to thank all their friends and family for their support at this time and the vast help from the British Consulate. The family now ask for time to grieve in private."

Carwyn’s parents, Ceri and Rhys, run a produce business and rent holiday cottages, and have a farm in the village of Talybont-on-Usk in the Brecon Beacons, AP reports.

A local county councillor for the village, Liam Fitzpatrick, remarked that the community was "in absolute shock".

"He was seven years old, it's horrendous. A tragic, tragic accident," he said. "We just can't comprehend it.

"It's a small village and everyone knows each other, especially his parents who are well-known because of their business.

"There will be massive support here for them when they come back. The community will be ready to assist in any way it possible can.

"It's impossible to know what they are going through at the moment."

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