Temporary Wingsuit ban in Chamonix
Decision to be made today by Chamonix's mayor
Following on from Monday's tragic accident when a wingsuit pilot crashed into a building and died, Chamonix's mayor is expected to call for a temporary ban on the sport in the valley.
Monday's accident was the fifth death of a wingsuit pilot in Chamonix this year and mayor Eric Fournier is concerned that accidents such as this could endanger residents. Deputy mayor Jean-Louis Verdier, expressed concerns that the man could have hit a car and that more regulations may need to be put in place for practitioners of the sport.
In 2012 base jumping and wingsuit flying were completely banned in Chamonix after a fatal accident. The ban lasted a year before the sports were allowed to recommence.
Update: 6th October
A municipal order has been passed banning wingsuit flying in Chamonix until further notice. A security meeting will be held between the town hall, mountain rescue services, wingsuiters and paragliders, to determine agreed start points for flights, flight trajectories and landing areas.
