Overview
- The Clermont-Ferrand prosecutor reports an unexpected manoeuvre ruptured the helicopter hoist cable during a rocky-site exercise near Saint-Nectaire.
- The victims were Sergeant Maxime Pillitieri, 36, a professional firefighter from SDIS Haute-Loire, and Dr. Sophie Fleurquin, 30, an emergency physician with SAMU 63 and volunteer firefighter, according to professional tributes.
- A judicial investigation for involuntary manslaughter has been opened to establish the technical, human, and meteorological factors behind the accident.
- The drill involved a Sécurité civile Dragon 63 helicopter and teams from SDIS Puy-de-Dôme and the CHU of Clermont-Ferrand, with the incident occurring shortly after 4 p.m.
- Authorities activated a crisis cell and the CHU deployed medico-psychological support, as national and local officials offered condolences to families and colleagues.