Two helicopters collide near Mount Everest base camp killing one person

Two helicopters collided midair on Tuesday morning near Mount Everest base camp, killing one person and injuring two others. UPI and the New York Post both reported that the crash occurred as the aircraft were attempting to land in Pheriche village. [1][2]

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, cited by UPI, the collision took place at 8:12 a.m. local time. Online video shows two low flying helicopters moving sideways into each other before crashing into the snow. The aviation authority identified the aircraft as AS350 helicopters, with at least one operated by Air Dynasty Heli Service. [1]

The New York Post reported that the person killed was a 47-year-old tourist from India. The helicopters were ferrying trekkers during the local trekking season. Thousands of trekkers had recently resumed moving after heavy snow covered the route before weather conditions improved on Sunday. There are no roads on Everest, making helicopters the only way to transport sick or exhausted trekkers and guides. [2]

The Airbus Helicopters H125 Écureuil, formerly known as the Eurocopter AS350, is a single engine light utility helicopter developed by French manufacturer Aérospatiale. [10]