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Majorca crash: Seven killed in collision between helicopter and small plane

Local government says two children among victims of ‘tragic accident’

Conrad Duncan
Sunday 25 August 2019 10:18 EDT
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Majorca crash: At least five killed in collision between helicopter and small plane

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Two children and five adults have died in a crash between a small plane and a helicopter on the Spanish island of Majorca, authorities have said.

Five people from the helicopter and two people from the plane were killed in the accident, according to local reports.

There has been no official statement on the nationality of the victims but local media has reported that Juanjo Vidal, a Spanish pilot, died in the crash.

Emergency services, the Civil Guard and local police have been moved to the scene near Inca on the island, according to El Pais newspaper.

The cause of the accident is currently unknown and the Civil Guard has taken charge of an investigation into the crash.

Francina Armengol, the president of the Balearic Islands, said she is shocked by the accident and her thoughts are with the victims.

Both the helicopter and plane narrowly missed separate houses when they hit the ground, according to the local newspaper Diario de Mallorca.

One eyewitness said the “noise of the impact was horrible”, while another said the collision sounded like thunder or a house collapsing.

Juan Carbonell, an acquaintance of the pilot who apparently died, said Mr Vidal was “a great kid” who was married but had no children, according to Diaro de Mallorca.

Pedro Sanchez, Spain’s prime minister, released a short statement on the accident on Sunday afternoon.

“My solidarity and affection for the families of the victims who have lost their lives in this tragic accident, including a minor,” he said.

Isabel Castro, the minister for public administration and modernisation, is expected to visit the scene of the accident this afternoon.

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