Funds flow in after Alps tragedy

Aaron Cooke's foot struck some ice as he tried to paraglide between two hanging glaciers in the French Alps and he fell to his death 30m below.

Donations are flooding in to assist the Hawke's Bay mother of a paraglider who died in a horror crash in the French Alps earlier this month.

Aaron Cooke, 38, plunged to his death as he leapt off the Argentiere Glacier, on the Mont Blanc massif.

A Givealittle page has been set up to raise funds for the emergency travel costs of Mr Cooke's mother, Marg Gudgeon.

The Napier woman has travelled to France with other family members to farewell her son. It is understood his funeral was held last Friday.

The fundraising page was set up by her colleagues at Hawke's Bay District Health Board (DHB)'s intensive care unit.

Yesterday 90 people had donated a total of $5867 to the page, and $2170 had also been raised for Mr Cooke's sister, Emma.

Local French news service Chamonix News reported the accident happened as Mr Cooke was trying to take off from the mountain on July 17.

It is understood his foot struck a pinnacle of ice as he tried to pass between two hanging glaciers and he fell to his death 30m below.

A paragliding partner who witnessed the tragedy immediately alerted Chamonix search and rescue.

Mr Cooke was pronounced dead by emergency service workers when they eventually reached the site.

The Chamonix News reported Cooke was an experienced paraglider who was well equipped at the time of the accident.

Following the tragedy his grieving partner, Dani Evans, who ran a bed and breakfast with Cooke for international guests, paid tribute to the Kiwi on Facebook.

"My everything - from the moment I met you until my very last breath on this Earth I will keep you just like I promised. I love you now and forever my bub. Always."

Consular assistance has also been offered to members of the family.