A north-east man who collapsed and died in the French Alps has been described as a “cracking, special guy”.
Richard Casher was found unconscious on the Chatelard road in the town of Bourg St Maurice on Saturday having watched Scotland’s Six Nations rugby clash with England.
Emergency services raced to help, but the 44-year-old could not be saved.
It is not yet clear what caused the father-of-two’s death.
Mr Casher was brought up in Stonehaven, and attended Robert Gordon’s College in Aberdeen prior to catching the “ski bug” in his early 20s and moving to France.
It is understood he had settled down with a partner and had two young daughters, and was running a successful business in Bourg St Maurice.
His mother, who still lives in Stonehaven, and other members of the family have now flown out to Geneva.
Last night, old friends of the keen sportsman paid tribute to him.
Bob Richmond, who was his coach at Mackie Academy RFC, said Mr Casher was one of the best players of his era at the club.
The honorary club president said: “He was a really exceptional player, matched only by his mischief. If there was trouble going on Richard was there.
“I think he got the ski bug. We’d lost touch a wee bit because he wasn’t back that often.
“He was just a cracking guy, a cracking player and just mention Richard’s name to those who knew him, it will get a smile on anyone’s face.”
Friend Willie Garden, who also played rugby with him, added: “He was one of the best players I have played rugby with.”
A statement released through the Mackie Academy Former Pupils Rugby Football Club social media page described him as “one of the most colourful and talented players who pulled on the red jersey for the club”.
A former neighbour described Mr Casher as a real “family man”.
She said: “I just knew him as a wee boy running around the garden. He was a family man.
“It is a shame because he was here not long ago for his grandmother’s funeral, just last year.
“He had been skiing in the morning and in the afternoon he’d been watching the rugby match and walked home from that when it happened.”
A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: “We are provided support to the family of a British National following their death in France on February 6. We are in contact with the family and the local authority.”