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The mountain rescue helicopter fell to an altitude of around 1,800 meters in the Savoy area, near the town of Bonvillard, in eastern France. A statement from local officials said six people were on board. It is understood that one is fighting for his life.
The French president said: “To save lives, they take all risks.
“Tonight in Savoy, 3 members of the French Air Rescue and 2 CRS Alps succumbed to a helicopter accident. An injured person struggles to earn a living.
“Support of the Nation to the families, friends and colleagues of these French heroes.”
It is unknown what caused the accident at the time of writing this article.
Local authorities said the helicopter was on a training mission at the time of the accident.
The crew on board included two pilots plus two winch operators and two mountain rescue workers, the BBC reports.
A rescue operation is underway involving three more helicopters, plus 40 search and rescue personnel.
It was confirmed that a rescue team arrived around 8:20 p.m. at night, after being stopped by a thick fog.
Authorities were alerted to the accident after the pilot was ejected and managed to make contact around 7:10 pm local time.
The helicopter is owned by the private search and rescue company Service Aérien Français.
French Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin said he would visit the crash site tomorrow.
It said in a statement that “significant resources were mobilized” to provide assistance after the accident was reported.
Mr. Darmanin, together with Ms. Marlène Schiappa, Deputy Minister to the Minister of the Interior, expressed their condolences.
The statement reads: “Gérald Darmanin and Marlène Schiappa send their first thoughts to the families of the five victims and the wounded and thank the rescue forces that are mobilizing.”
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