Pogs, if that is the case, then that puts a totally different light on this. If the sister fell and mum went to help and little one carried on ahead- then that is indeed a tragedy. And whatever happened, of course my heart goes to them- in fact even more so if they made a catastrophic error of judgement, as they will have to, indeed, live with it forever. Where on earth did I say I didn't feel total sympathy for them??? I said 'what on earth where they thinking about' if indeed, and that is the only news I'd heard, they allowed a 7 year old to go ahead and ski on his own. As said, we are all very experienced skiiers in the family, and my GS is just a little older and a great little skier, but we would never ever allow him to ski on his own. Becoming separated due to unforeseen circumstances is a totally different kettle of fish, and yes, could happen to anyone. We always have 1 adult at the front and 1 experienced adults at the back to ensure all are safe, always.
But I am also wondering how the child got into the wild- pistes these days are bashed and very well marked by poles, and even if he got out momentarily by a few feet, it would have been obvious how to get back to the slope?
My heart does indeed go to those poor parents. We have all lost children momentarily by accident- and it is terrifying. I suppose many of you are not experienced skiers and find it difficult to imagine. Would you allow a 7 year old to swim at sea on his own, or to go shopping on Oxford Street without you?
As said, if sister had an accident and he continued on his own- it is a very different case altogether.