Helicopter crash reported in the French Alps
A SAR helicopter crashed in the French Alps, killing five of the six people on board, on the evening of 8 December
The helicopter – a Eurocopter EC 35 – belongs to the private company Service Aérien Français, which conducts search and rescue (SAR) missions across France. The aircraft was carrying an air rescue crew on a training mission when it fell from an altitude of 1,800 meters (5,900ft) near Bonvillard in France. At this time, the cause of the crash is unclear, but it was likely caused by bad weather.
The alarm was raised by the pilot at around 19:10 hrs, who managed to escape from the helicopter and was found seriously injured.
Aircraft were unable to reach the crash site
There were two pilots on board - one in training - along with two winch operators and two mountain rescue workers. Police named Amaury Lagroy de Croutte as one of the victims.
Three helicopters have been sent to the site as part of a rescue team, but the aircraft have been unable to reach the site due to fog. The pilot has been recovered by a group of rescuers who approached on foot.
French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said he would visit the site of the incident on 9 December.
Clara Bullock
Clara Bullock is a writer for ITIJ and AirMed&Rescue. Initially a freelance writer for publications ranging from gardening news to music magazines, she has made the transition to writing about the ins and outs of travel insurance and aeromedicine. In her spare time she reviews books on Instagram and eats pasta.