Helicopter and plane crash in Austria, killing 8 people
VIENNA, Austria: A helicopter and a small plane collided in the air and crashed near a ski slope in Austria on Monday, killing eight people, police said.
Five Swiss nationals, a German and a French citizen died in the late-morning collision that occurred near Zell am See, in Salzburg province, police said. Seven victims were in the helicopter, which belonged to a Swiss company and was flying from Kaprun, Austria, in the direction of Germany at the time of the accident, police said.
The plane's pilot, an Austrian citizen, also died in the accident, police said. Eyewitnesses interviewed by Austrian television said the small plane exploded near the ski slope.
About three minutes before the collision, the helicopter pilot, a Swiss national, reported to an airfield in Zell am See that he had sighted the plane, which had taken off from that airfield about a minute earlier, police said.
The collision occurred at about 1,100 meters (3,600 feet) above sea level.
Wreckage was scattered in a wooded area, according to Austrian broadcaster ORF.
The Austria Press Agency reported that, in the early afternoon, about 200 people were involved in the rescue effort.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the accident.
An aerial collision near Zell am See, Austria has killed 8 people, 5 Swiss citizens, 1 French, 1 German and 1 Austrian.

The collision occurred Monday afternoon between a Super Puma helicopter belonging to Helog S.A, based in Küssnacht (Switzerland), and a private Diamond DA20 "Katana" light aircraft which had taken off from the aerodrome at Zell am See.

All 7 of the passengers and crew from the helicopter were pronounced dead at the scene, as was the pilot of the light aircraft, which had no passengers on board.

The debris from the accident spread over a 20 metre radius and bystanders near to the incident reported seeing a "huge ball of fire in the sky".

The reason for the accident is presently unclear as both craft have been confirmed as passing pre-flight testing at their respective take-off locations. Furthermore, Zell am See tower radioed the helicopter that a plane was taking off, to which the helicopter replied positively. This conversation should have been heard over radio by the pilot of the plane.

The site of the accident is now being guarded by police, pending the arrival of an investigation team and a delegate of the state attorney.