Swiss snowboard champ Estelle Balet killed in avalanche

ORSIERES, Switzerland, April 20 (UPI) -- Swiss snowboard champion Estelle Balet was killed Tuesday in an avalanche in the Swiss alps.

Balet, who was the Freeride World Tour Champion, had been making a film on the Portalet mountain when the avalanche hit just after 8 a.m. local time.

The 21-year-old had won her second world freeeride title earlier this month in the Swiss resort of Verbier.

Balet was wearing a tracking device, an airbag and a helmet.

By the time rescue workers arrived by helicopter, the snowboarder had been dug out. However, she couldn't be revived via resuscitation efforts.

According to police, another person had skied the slope before Balet descended.

"Despite immediate efforts to revive her, she died at the scene," Valais police said in a statement. "An investigation has been started to determine the causes of the accident."

"The Freeride community has experienced a tremendous loss today as we learned that one of the most hopeful young talents and current snowboard World Champion, Estelle Balet, has tragically passed away in an avalanche," the Freewide World Tour posted on its website. "Estelle Balet was a naturally gifted shining star and demonstrated remarkable talent as she quickly became a household name on the Freeride World Tour."