AN INQUEST has opened into the death of a Winchester boy who died in an avalanche in Austria just days before Christmas.

Central Hampshire coroner, Grahame Short, heard on Thursday how Winchester College student Cameron Bespolka, 16, died of multiple injuries on December 17 after he, his father and a ski guide were engulfed in snow in the resort of Lech am Arlberg.

The avalanche swept Cameron, his father Kevin, 51, and the guide 150 metres down the mountain leaving Cameron's triplet brother Nicholas watching from the top, who had been skiing a short distance behind.

It is now understood that the family have returned home after his father was treated in intensive care for knee and leg injuries.

The inquest was adjourned.