A helicopter accident in the Swiss Alps on Tuesday resulted in the tragic death of an Irish individual. The Department of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the occurrence, disclosing that the Irishman was one of three victims in the fatal incident on Petit Combin mountain. The helicopter crash took place on the mountain’s airstrip, causing the aircraft to slide onto its northern slope.
The department has conveyed its readiness to offer consular support to the deceased’s family. The aviation mishap also claimed the lives of Jerome Lovey, the helicopter’s pilot, and a mountain guide named Adam George. However, three British men – Edward Courage and brothers Teddy and Guy Hitchins – survived the ordeal, as per reports.
The incident occurred around 9.25am local time as the men were heliskiing on Petit Combin airfield in an Air-Glaciers B3-type helicopter, according to the police in the Swiss region of Valais. Subsequent to the crash, the helicopter slid into the mountain’s northern slope at 3,668m height; the cause of this is yet to be established.
After seven rescue helicopters reached the accident site, two injured parties received immediate medical aid before being airlifted to the Sion hospital. A third individual was rescued a while later. The remaining three passengers were, unfortunately, found dead. Swiss safety authorities have since initiated an inquiry into the incident, and the Swiss Attorney General’s Office has launched a criminal investigation pertaining to the tragic event.