Tragic accident in Canada where a helicopter crashed in a mountainous area while carrying a group that was heliskiing at Terrace in British Columbia. Three victims, two are from South Tyrol, while four other people are in serious condition.

The group was climbing to high altitude and then skiing down the slopes.

Heiner junior Oberrauch, known as Heinzl, 29, lost his life, while his brother Jacob - CEO of the Sportler group - was injured; useless help also for Andreas junior Widmann, a 35-year-old entrepreneur in the textile sector, son of Heinrich Widmann. The third victim is the helicopter pilot, resident in the area.

Johannes Peer, brother-in-law of the two brothers, and Emiolio Zierock, of the well-known Foradori winery, were hospitalized in hospital.

Investigations are underway to ascertain the causes of the accident.

(Unioneonline/ss)

Three South Tyroleans lost their lives in a helicopter crash in Canada. The three young people were part of a group that was heliskiing at Terrace in British Columbia. Yesterday afternoon, around 4, the helicopter crashed in a mountainous area for reasons that are still being ascertained. Four other people who were on the vehicle are in serious condition. (HANDLE).

by Stefan Wallisch (ANSA) - BOLZANO, JAN 23 - Go up in a helicopter to the mountain peaks and then descend on skis along endless snow-covered slopes. This is the charm of heliskiing. This passion cost the lives of two young entrepreneurs from South Tyrol, victims of a helicopter accident in Canada. Three other managers, including the CEO of the Sportler store chain and that of the Foradori cellars, were injured. A group of young people from South Tyrol had been in western Canada for a few days. They all belong to well-known and ancient families from Bolzano and Trentino and have taken over the reins of the businesses for some years. However, they have always retained their connection with the mountains and outdoor sports. The accident occurred on Monday afternoon, around 4.30pm, in the Terrace Mountains in British Columbia. The exact dynamics are not yet known, we only know that one helicopter crashed into the ground in a mountainous area, while the second aircraft landed safely. The pilot, a local man, and two customers died in the accident: Heiner junior Oberrauch, known as Heinzl, 29 years old, son of Georg, founder of the Sportler sporting goods stores, and Andreas junior Widmann, 35 years old, entrepreneur of the sportswear, son of Heinrich Widmann, founder of Texmarket. However, Heinzl's brother, Jakob Oberrauch, 34, CEO of Sportler, and Johannes Peer, 34, brother-in-law of the two brothers and financial director of the same sporting goods group, were injured. Both - we learn - are conscious, while Emilio Zierock, 35, of the well-known Foradori winery, is in more serious conditions. The guide who was supposed to accompany the group during the long off-piste descent was also injured. However, the other members of the group who were on the second helicopter remained unharmed. “We are working closely with the authorities to support the investigation into the causes of the accident.” This was stated by John Forrest, the president and general manager of Northern Escape Heli-Skiing, the heli-skiing company that owns the crashed helicopter, according to The Canadian Press. BC Emergency Health Services sent three rescue helicopters and five ambulances to the crash site on Monday afternoon. Paramedics treated four patients who were transported to Mills Memorial Hospital in Terrace. The heli-skiing company also said it has contacted HeliCat Canada's critical incident stress management team. As soon as he was informed of the helicopter crash in Canada, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, who expressed deep condolences for the tragedy, gave instructions to the Italian diplomatic-consular structures in the country, and in particular to the Consulate General in Vancouver, to provide maximum assistance to injured compatriots. The Farnesina and the Consulate General in Vancouver, as far as we know, have taken action and are in contact with the local authorities and hospitals. Having heard the news of the tragedy, Georg Oberrauch left for Canada to assist his injured son and take care of the sad formalities of the case. In Alto Adige the news was learned with disbelief. The Oberrauchs are super managers, but despite this they are very tied to the world of volunteering and the Catholic world. The uncle of the two brothers involved in the accident in Canada, Heiner Oberrauch senior, is president of Confindustria Alto Adige and patron of the Oberalp group (Salewa, Dynafit etc.). As for the Widmanns, life is and was the mountains. (HANDLE).