Eight die in Austria helicopter crash

Eight people were killed today when a light plane and a helicopter collided near the Austrian ski resort of Zell am See.

Eight people were killed today when a light plane and a helicopter collided near the Austrian ski resort of Zell am See.

The transport helicopter had seven people aboard, local Red Cross spokesman Gerhard Huber said, and all were killed in the crash as well as the plane's pilot.

The plane had no passengers, according to an employee of Zell am See airport where it had taken off. Weather conditions had been excellent and the cause of the crash was not immediately clear, Mr Huber said.

The helicopter was owned by a Swiss company and was on its way to the German town of Berchtesgaden.

The crash happened at an altitude of 1,000 metres and debris was scattered over a wide area.

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