Charterhouse: tributes paid to ‘star’ teacher killed in 650ft Val D’Isere ski crash

Mr How, described as a “star” teacher, and two friends were skiing
in conditions that were described as good.

Two doctors and four members of the Val D’Isere rescue service raced to the
accident but despite frantic efforts to resuscitate him over the next hour,
he was pronounced dead at the scene.

He was later airlifted away by helicopter. An investigation has been launched
but authorities blamed a “technical fault rather than an avalanche”.

A rescue spokesman said: “The group was skiing a very well-known, classical
off-piste route where you need to have a good technical level of skiing.

“The man went to make a turn but he had a problem and fell down a series of
cliffs. He fell down the first cliff about 20 metres and he kept falling. In
total he fell 200 metres.

“The accident is being investigated but we think it was a technical fault
rather than an avalanche.”

He added: “Personnel from the ski station saw what happened and called the
rescuers. But he was already dead when the doctor reached him.”

The French ski resort of Val D’Isere (Picture: ALAMY)

Mr How graduated from Cambridge University with a double-first in science,
where he also earned a cricket blue and was captain of the university’s
first XI football team, while also earning university colours for that
sport.

He joined the school a decade ago after resigning from Deutsche Bank where he
worked as a vice-president.

On Thursday, the Rev John Witheridge, the school headmaster, described the
teacher as a “real star”.

He added: “I will remember him as a hugely energetic man who was always
striving and that rubbed off on his pupils.

“Before joining us he enjoyed a successful banking career and was an
expert sportsman – that gives you some idea of the measure of the man.”

A spokesman for the boarding school added that Mr How was a “very popular and
an outstanding and highly respected teacher and sportsman”.

She added: “This is a great shock to the School and our thoughts and prayers
are with Ed’s family.”

Ed How taught Chemistry at Charterhouse School and was a keen cricketer
and footballer (Picture: ALAMY)

At an international football competition last year he was said to have dressed
up in a Victorian outfit as part of events to mark the school’s 400th
anniversary.

Past and present pupils also paid tribute to the “great man”, with
many taking to Twitter to post their shock.

Pupils from the £30,000 a year school also set up a tribute site on Facebook
in “Support
for Ed How’s family, friends and, of course, Moses
“.

More than 700 people had “liked” the page with some pupils changing
their “profile pictures” with an image of the popular teacher.

Will Oakes paid tribute to a “genuinely great guy, one who inspired
nothing short of greatness”.

“I will never forget all the support he gave me throughout my time in
Charterhouse, in all aspects of life,” he wrote.

“He was a great coach, teacher and person, who was someone that you could
go to for advice, or for a laugh.

“His passion for football was instilled in every team that he took, and
he was a genuine pleasure to play under. His support for me in that regard
is something I will never forget about him.”

Susie Archer wrote: “I wouldn’t be at where I am now without his support
and help. Thank you for everything Mr How R.I.P.”

On Twitter Hugo Scheckter, wrote: “RIP Ed How. One of the best teachers I
ever had at Charterhouse. Can’t believe he’s gone so young. Devastated.
Chouse won’t be the same.”

Oliver Knight wrote: “You will be missed but never forgotten.”

Seb Chan wrote: “Inspiring Chemistry teacher and coach who cannot live without
his football cones. He will be sorely missed.”

Ed Strang ‏tweeted: “Still can’t get over the news from yesterday.
Will never get to be in that great man’s company again. Rest in peace Ed How.”

Jonny Cooper wrote: “Unbelievably sad news. Absolute legend.”

Jamie Ferguson wrote: “What a great man, great cricketer, chemistry genius
with great banter.”

Tom Julius wrote: “RIP Ed How. Gave me a chance in the 15A’s and will never
forget it. You’ll be missed.”

James Knight added: “Completely shocked to hear the news about Ed How,
great teacher and great man. #RIPEJH #charterhouse.”

The historic school, which teaches boys aged 13 to 18 and girls aged over 16,
is built on a sprawling 200-acre estate and has 795 pupils, most of whom are
boarders.

Its sporting and academic record is well-documented and alumni include David
Dimbleby, the broadcaster, Robert Baden-Powell, founder of the Scout
movement.

Mr How is the second British skier to die in Val D’Isere in recent days.

Last week 22-year-old Thomas Lynch, from Leicestershire, was skiing with
friends when he crashed into a snow-making cannon on the piste.

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