https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-45855897

British mountain biker ‘shot dead by hunter‘ in French Alps

A British mountain biker has been shot by a hunter in the French Alps.

The man, 34, was killed by a stray bullet while riding in woodland near Montriond, close to the Swiss border.

He was biking on a popular mountain track when he was shot by a 22-year-old who was taken to hospital in severe shock.

The victim is believed to be the owner of a local restaurant in the small town of Les Gets – the Foreign Office says it is providing support to his family.

Witnesses said that he was cycling in thick woods but was wearing bright blue clothing that should have made him easily identifiable.

In the past three years, more than 20 people have died in hunting accidents in France.

On a local Facebook group people expressed horror and discussed how to prevent further incidents.

“This has to be stopped. Ban the chasse immediately,” one said, using the French term for hunting. “There are no excuses. People’s lives are shattered.”

But others said hunting is a “lifelong tradition” even if some people think it is “outdated and cruel” and called for safety measures such as restricting hunting to certain days.

An inquiry has been launched into the incident of “aggravated manslaughter,” French prosecutors said.