Three people were killed after a small plane crashed into a mountain slope in Switzerland, with millionaire businessman Owain Davies identified as one of the victims.
The single-engine Cirrus SR22T crashed on September 15 near Leukerbad in the canton of Valais. Swiss police said the aircraft had taken off from Lugano, stopped in Sion and was heading toward Buochs when it struck the northern slope of the Fluhalp area at around 4 p.m.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene after witnesses reported seeing significant smoke. Three people were found dead in the wreckage. Authorities have not yet publicly identified the other two victims, although one is also reported to be British.
Davies, 55, was the managing director of Amcanu, a Welsh engineering company founded by his father. He was described by the company as a determined and caring leader who had become a mentor and friend to many employees.
His son Aron paid tribute to him, describing his father as a lifelong mentor and highlighting the enormous loss faced by the family. Davies leaves behind his wife, two children and grandchildren.
Davies was also known to be passionate about aviation. His company said he was an experienced pilot who loved flying, adding another personal dimension to the tragedy.
Swiss authorities have opened an investigation into the crash, including a safety investigation and a criminal inquiry. The cause of the accident remains unknown.
The sudden deaths have left Davies’ family, friends and colleagues mourning while investigators work to determine what caused the aircraft to go down in the Alps.