Red Bull Pilot Hannes Arch Dies In Helicopter Crash

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Austrian pilot and Red Bull Air Race competitor Hannes Arch died Thursday in a helicopter crash in the Alps. Arch operated a company that flew deliveries to mountain huts in the region, according to European news outlets. The helicopter, flying at night to Salzburg, crashed into terrain about 9 p.m., The Local of Austria reported. One passenger was injured and taken to a hospital after dozens of rescuers arrived at the crash site early in the morning, according to the report. Police officials said the helicopter was on a night visual flight plan in good weather and crashed into a rock face at an altitude of about 2300 meters, Spiegel Online reported.

Arch, a regular top contender in the Red Bull Air Race, won the championship in 2008 and this week was listed in third place in the current race as the series prepared to move from Europe to the U.S. Arch also was known as an elite athlete and mountain climber. “It is with great sadness that we learn of the death of our long-time, close friend Hannes Arch in a private helicopter flight at Carinthia, Austria,” Red Bull Air Race stated on its website. “To his family and many other friends, we extend our deepest sympathy.”

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