Family tribute to Jemima Prees following skiing accident

The family of Jemima Prees have released a tribute after she died in a skiing accident in the Austrian Alps last weekend. 

In a statement released by the family they said: "Jemima was a very very special girl. She lived everyday as if there might not be tomorrow. She had a capacity to touch people with love in a way that is rarely seen. It was a privilege to know her for nearly eleven years."

Jemima Prees, 10, from the Chippenham area was on a family skiing holiday when she was involved in a skiing accident. 

She was airlifted to Innsbruck Hospital in Austria but pronounced dead from her injuries. 

"She died in a beautiful place doing something she loved, with some of her favourite people. She was skiing within her ability and taking it very carefully, within yards of us. No one will know why she suddenly went straight down the piste or why she didn't turn or fall."

The family also announced Jemima suffered a brain injury and died instantly at the scene. Her brother attended to her aid with forty minutes of resuscitation. 

The Prees family said: "We are very proud of him, as we were proud of her. We would now like to be given the space grieve as a family, and to attempt to begin rebuilding our lives."