Helicopter crash claims 4 lives in Vallorcine - UPDATE

A fatal helicopter crashed claimed the lives of 4 people this morning in the Barberine region of Vallorcine.

The accident happened at around 10am this morning when the pilot and 3 passengers were making a reconnaissance flight over the Emosson dam. Apparently the pilot was making a descent to drop off 2 of his passengers at the foot one of the pylons of the EDF maintenance cable car when the tail rotor clipped the cable. According to local press the helicopter immediately caught fire; 2 people were ejected but 2 remained trapped inside the cabin.

The helicopter was an "Ecureuil" (squirrel), owned by Chamonix Mont Blanc Hélicoptères and piloted by local mountain guide Jacques Fouque.

Jacques Fouque is the only victim to have been named so far but the other 3 are thought to be the son of the director of Chamonix Mont Blanc Helicoptere, the director of the Emosson dam and a former employee of the Compagnie du Mont Blanc.

Source : Lefigaro.fr & Ledauphine.com

UPDATE - 15/09/2011

Since yesterday the other 3 victims of the crash have been confirmed as Regis Desmus (engineer at the EDF dam), Jean Marc Mermillod (security specialist for IG3M lift company) and Sebastian Brun (apprentice pilot and son of Chamonix Mont Blanc Helicopteres director, Pascal Brun). Our condolences go out to their families and the family of pilot Jacques Fouque. The cause of the tragedy has not yet been confirmed but dazzling sunlight is thought to have been a contributing factor.