Five of the six people on board died in a helicopter crash on an apparently training rescue mission in southeastern France on Tuesday. The pilot survived the disaster, but is in serious condition, the AFP agency reported with reference to the local prefecture. It is not yet clear what caused the helicopter crash.
An EC 135 machine from SAF, a private company involved in rescue operations, crashed near the Savoy town of Albertville, near Mont Blanc. Helicopter problems occurred at an altitude of 1800 meters. On board were four SAF employees and two rescuers of the French Mountain Service.
The prefecture previously stated that the pilot of the aircraft managed to eject and send a signal. Rescuers on the ground then searched for crew members. The three helicopters mobilized by the authorities could not get to the crash site due to fog.
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