Three years ago, David Horváth was the only survivor of a helicopter crash in the Alaskan mountains, in which five people died, including the richest Czech billionaire, Petr Kellner. Speaking publicly for the first time since the tragedy, he described to Alaska’s News Source the eight-hour wait in the wreckage, the minutes after the crash, and his last communication with Kellner.
Anchorage (Alaska)
11:11 May 11, 2024 Share on Facebook
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Photos of the rescue operation released to the public by Alaska State Police | Source: Alaska Department of Public Safety
“It was an ideal day for heliboarding, for snowboarding, for enjoying the powder,” recalls snowboarder David Horváth, who traveled the world with the richest Czech, Petr Kellner, to find him the best places for winter sports.
Three years ago, they set off together for adrenaline fun in the Alaskan mountains. The helicopter, which was carrying a total of five people, including the pilot and two mountain guides, was supposed to transport them to hard-to-access slopes where they were supposed to go snowboarding.
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But the helicopter crashed, after hitting a rock, it rolled several tens of meters down the cliff. All on board, except Horváth, died. He publicly described for the first time since the tragedy local station Alaska’s News Sourcewhat happened, and confirmed earlier reports that Petr Kellner was still alive immediately after the accident.
“Bang, I can’t remember how many times we fell over before we stopped and then it was quiet. The first thing I thought was: ‘What the hell is going on’,” Horváth recalls in an interview. In addition, he was unable to move due to his seat belt and broken ribs.
Then, according to his words, he saw Kellner, who got out of the wreckage of the machine, went somewhere. According to him, however, he was unable to establish contact with him.
“I started yelling really loud things like, ‘Hey, Peter, we’re not going to die here! Come on, come help me!'” and stuff like that. But maybe he was in shock or something and maybe he saw something in the back of the helicopter. So he went, about ten meters away from me and back to the helicopter. And that was the last time I saw him saw,” Horváth described, adding that he called him several more times.
Rescuers finally arrived after eight hours. Horváth lost several fingers due to frostbite.
The final report of the US National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) states that the pilot of the helicopter failed to land on the ridge the first time, on the second attempt he ran into the so-called white darkness caused by blowing snow. In it, the machine hit a slope and fell. According to the office, the pilot did not have the necessary training and courses.
The family of Peter Kellner and the survivors of other victims sued Soloy Helicopters, the company that operated the flights. According to the server Alaska’s News Source, Horváth has already ended the dispute with the company.
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