The Valais police inform that on Saturday, 28 June 2025, an accident involving an AS 350B3e Ecureuil helicopter occurred near the Fusshörner (Naters/VS municipality) in the Oberaletsch glacier region, near Naters (Valaisan Alps). In the incident, a 51-year-old Swiss citizen unfortunately lost his life. Another person was slightly injured in the accident and was hospitalised, while a third person was uninjured.
The accident occurred around noon when the aircraft in service with Air Glaciers was carrying out transports.
For reasons that are still unexplained, the helicopter hit the ground and then toppled over on its side.
The emergency services of the cantonal police, the cantonal rescue organisation of the Canton of Valais, including four helicopters and a rescue specialist, and fire brigade of the Municipality of Naters rushed to the scene of the accident.
Under Article 98 of the Aviation Act, the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland is responsible for the prosecution of offences committed on board an aircraft.
In order to clarify the exact course of events and the cause of the accident, experts of the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB) have opened an inquiry.
The investigation is being conducted with the support of the public prosecutor's office and the Valais cantonal police.