“A BRIGHT, talented young man” died after he fell from the roof of a French chalet, an inquest heard.

Selby coroner’s court was told former Bootham School pupil Edward De Nunzio, 18, from Tadcaster, was seven weeks into a ten-week course at Courchevel to qualify as a ski instructor, when he sustained massive head injuries in a fall from a chalet roof.

Llyr Hughes worked at the hotel complex, and told the inquest yesterday he had been drinking on the night of February 25, when he met Mr De Nunzio, who was on his way back from a social evening with family friends.

Mr Hughes said he and Mr De Nunzio climbed onto the roof of buildings close to their accommodation, and worked their way along the second-floor roofs towards their accommodation, before they reached a gap.

He said: “I remember we did stop and I think I pointed out this was stupid.

“We were just trying to get back to our chalet along the roofs. It was not something we had done before.

“I decided I was going to go for it.”

The inquest heard the gap between the pitched roofs of the buildings was about four feet, but the building they were jumping from was higher than the one they landed on.

Mr Hughes said he jumped the gap, landed on his hands and feet, and “scrambled” up the roof, when he heard Mr De Nunzio land behind him.

He said: “I remember being surprised, turned and saw him standing up, and he just, I don’t know if he lost his balance or tripped.

“As I turned, he was standing and just toppled over backwards.”

Rob Turnbull, coroner for Selby, recorded a verdict of accidental death, and noted that statements from friends and family showed the behaviour was “completely out of character” for Mr De Nunzio.

He told Mr De Nunzio’s family “his judgement was affected, with very tragic consequences.

“This is a terrible and tragic loss to you.”

A statement issued by Mr De Nunzio’s family said: “We remain devastated by the loss of Edward in this tragic accident.

“He was a bright, talented young man, and a loving son and brother. He brought sunshine into the lives of all those who knew him. We love Ed and miss him so much.”

The family also expressed their gratitude for the many messages of support and acts of kindness they had received.