Three killed after helicopter crash at tourist hotspot in Swiss Alps
The helicopter skidded off its landing zone.
A helicopter crash has killed three people and injured three others in the Swiss Alps.
The light utility helicopter skidded off its landing zone near the 3,668-metre Petit Combin peak in Valais, south west Switzerland, at around 9.25am this morning.
The helicopter from Air Glaciers had four tourists, a mountain guide, and the pilot on board.
They had planned to go heli-skiing, which is off-trail, downhill skiing, where the skiers get to the top of the mountain by helicopter.
The other people on board were rescued and taken to hospital, while seven rescue helicopters were deployed to the scene.
Police have not yet said who the survivors and the victims are and their nationalities are also not known.
Valais Police said in a statement: ‘Having reached the summit of a mountain culminating at 3,668 metres above sea level, for a reason that the investigation will have to determine, the aircraft slid down the northern slope.
‘The three other occupants of the aircraft were unfortunately found lifeless,’ the statement said.
Air Glaciers which was involved in the rescue operation told local media: ‘We are deeply shocked by this event. Our thoughts are with the families and relatives of the victims.’
There was moderate wind in the high mountains earlier this morning, according to the Swiss weather service.
Authorities have now opened an investigation to determine what has happened.
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