Swiss snowboard champion Estelle Balet was killed in an avalanche on Tuesday morning while filming above the village of Orsieres in the Alps, near the southwest border with Italy and France. She was 21.
Balet had earned her second world title as part of the Freeride World Tour in Verbier, Switzerland, earlier this month.
The winter sports star was wearing safety equipment, including a location device and a helmet installed with an airbag aimed to create an air pocket in the event of an avalanche, according to CNN.
“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.”
Mountain rescue specialists immediately flew to the remote site by helicopter, and while Balet had already been freed from the snow by the time they arrived, she was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.
The Freeride World Tour event’s official website posted a tribute to Balet on Tuesday night in the wake of her death.
“Estelle Balet was a naturally gifted shining star and demonstrated remarkable talent as she quickly became a household name on the Freeride World Tour,” the statement read. “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Estelle Balet as we send our deepest sympathy and condolences during this very difficult time.”
Balet alerted her fans via Facebook Sunday that she was heading to the stunning region of the Swiss Alps to shoot. The post has now become a legacy page for the young Swiss athlete, as followers write their condolences.