This Tuesday, January 21 around 4:55 p.m., a dramatic accident occurred in Méribel-Les Allues. A passenger plane with two people on board crashed into the roof of an unoccupied chalet.
The Savoie prefecture announces the death of the two occupants. A medical-psychological emergency unit has been set up to take care of people who witnessed the accident, as well as the relatives of the two victims.
The device well known to aeronautics enthusiasts
According to initial reports, a collision with two tandem paragliders could have occurred just before. The two paragliders were shocked but unhurt. A PGHM crew immediately flew to the crash site by helicopter. The gendarmes attempted a reconnaissance on foot but faced with the risk of the chalet collapsing and the risk of fire, they had to give up.
According to our information, the accident plane is a Piper PA-18 Super Cub, registered F-BAYP. This plane is well known to aeronautics enthusiasts for having landed at the summit of Mont Blanc on June 23, 1960, piloted by Henri Giraud.
Significant resources mobilized
Significant rescue resources involving firefighters, police and emergency services were deployed. The firefighters' clearing rescue unit was mobilized and the Chambéry air transport gendarmerie brigade arrived on the scene.
According to the Albertville public prosecutor, Benoît Bachelet, the two paragliders are “out of danger”.
-According to the Albertville public prosecutor's office, the occupants of the crashed plane are two men, aged 26 and 58. “The evacuation of the two victims is problematic given the weakening of the structure,” said Benoît Bachelet, public prosecutor.
The first floor of the chalet was secured by teams from the firefighters’ Support Rescue and Search Unit (USAR). Following the collision, no fire broke out.
The precise circumstances of the accident remain unknown this Tuesday evening and may be determined as part of the judicial investigation which has been opened.
In total, 12 victims are believed to be involved in this accident. Nearly 50 firefighters and 30 engines are present on site.
