Italian helicopter crashes during ski rescue
A helicopter flying for the Trento Autonomous Province in Italy crashed near Madonna di Campiglio on 5 March.
A helicopter flying for the Trento Autonomous Province in Italy crashed near Madonna di Campiglio on 5 March. The AW139 was on a rescue mission to pick up two trapped skiers, but crashed while hovering. All of the crew survived the incident, but serious injuries have been reported. The onboard doctor, Matthew Zucco, was admitted to hospital for fractures to both arms.
Another helicopter and local mountain rescue teams attended to the scene.
The skiers that were trapped were also recovered unharmed.
Bruno Avi, commander of the provincial helicopter centre, said that the incident occurred in difficult weather and at a high altitude. He praised the swift actions of the crew, including the pilots instructions to the onboard technician to cut the helicopter’s engine and isolate the fuel supply.