An Irishman aged 34 was among the three fatalities in a helicopter accident that occurred in the Alps. James Goff, a resident of Co Wicklow, Jerome Lovey, the helicopter pilot and Adam George, a ski guide, lost their lives as their Air-Glaciers B3 helicopter was struck by an avalanche on the peak of the Petit Combin mountain located in southern Switzerland. The group was preparing to engage in heli-skiing; a sport which includes being transported by helicopter to the pinnacle of a ski slope.
The impact of the avalanche caused the helicopter to free fall off a steep slope and descend 500 metres down the mountain before halting. Three individuals survived the crash: Edward Courage and brothers Teddy and Guy Hitchens.
James Goff, also known as Jimmy, is the offspring of Robert and Sheelagh Goff who are proprietors of Ballinacor Estate in Rathdrum, Co Wicklow, a 19th-century estate. Robert Goff is a member of the prominent Goff clan, known for their ownership of a horse auction business in Co Kildare. James’ sibling, Sarah Davis-Goff, is a renowned author and publisher. She has co-founded the Tramp Press with Lisa Coen and has two novels under her name.
James Goff was employed with the United Nations as a project development and reporting officer. He had commenced his career 10 years ago as an intern with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in San Francisco, and was also a certified ski instructor.
In a public statement, the Valais regional police force declared that the aircraft slipped down the northern slope of the mountain despite managing to reach the peak at 3,668 metres above sea level. The reasons behind the tragedy would be investigated.
The accident took place around 9.25am local time and seven rescue helicopters were dispatched to the site. “Along with the pilot, there were four customers and a mountain guide onboard the helicopter. Two injured individuals received immediate medical attention before being airlifted to a hospital in Sion. A third individual was subsequently rescued,” reported the police.
Switzerland safety authorities have initiated an investigation to establish the cause of the incident. Concurrently, the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland has instigated a criminal investigation in connection to the accident.