Drug-addicted ski instructor is responsible for the death of top cancer surgeon | World | New

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Phillipe Drigo was using cannabis when he agreed to transfer British cancer consultant William Choi to an advanced group in the French Alps.

But an investigation learned that when the group ventured off-piste, the father-of-two suddenly hit an outcrop, lost his skis and hurtled down a steep hill.

Horrified onlookers saw his helmet come loose when his head hit a “banana-shaped” rock.

They rushed to help Mr Choi, 48, who was the chief urological surgeon for kidney cancer at the East Kent Hospitals Trust.

But the surgeon died shortly after falling from traumatic neck and spine injuries.

Drigo denied using drugs when questioned by police, but it was later discovered he was under the influence of cannabis and was convicted of manslaughter.

The investigation in Maidstone also learned that a couple had left Drigo’s group because they felt the slope of the Losset Corridor where he had taken them to ski was “too dangerous”.

Deputy Coroner Sonia Hayes said Mr Choi had an “inadequate introduction to off-piste skiing”.

She agreed with the French courts that Mr Choi’s death was caused by gross negligence and concluded: “I am convinced that it would not be enough to say that it was simply an accident.”

Mr. Choi was on vacation with his sons Alex and Xavier, his partner Abbey and his daughter Phoebe. After his tragic death in 2016, Abbey described him as “a lovable man who would help anyone”.

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