Three people died on Sunday morning after the helicopter they were traveling in crashed into high voltage power lines in the area of Monte Picayo, in the Valencian municipality of Puçol. The victims were the occupants of the aircraft, which fell in a rural area, specifically in an orange grove and a housing development. The helicopter was carrying out inspections of power lines in the municipality of Puçol and belonged to a company specializing in aerial power line inspections contracted by i-DE, a subsidiary of Iberdrola. Iberdrola is investigating the causes of the accident and has expressed condolences for the workers’ deaths.
Witnesses reported that the helicopter crashed near the old Casino, next to an entrance to a housing development. Mount Picayo, at 373 meters high, is one of the most iconic mountains in the province of Valencia. The foothills host several residential developments and overlook the intersection between the Sierra Calderona natural park and the Mediterranean Sea, separated by orange groves, industrial estates, and various road infrastructures such as the AP7 and A7 motorways. The provincial fire department personnel remained in the area after the accident to mitigate risks due to the presence of power lines and prevent any potential fuel-related fires.
The accident occurred around 10 a.m., prompting a response from the Guardia Civil, firefighters, and members of the Special Rescue Group in High Altitude (GERA), a unit specialized in rescues in challenging terrain. The firefighters deployed a helicopter equipped with a doctor and an officer to the scene. Iberdrola informed the local residents of power outages following the incident. The helicopter was conducting routine inspections of power lines at the time of the crash, and the company conducting the inspections is cooperating with the investigation into the accident.
The rural area where the helicopter crashed is surrounded by residential developments and farmland, posing a risk of fires due to the impact and fuel spill. The flight crew, consisting of three workers, tragically lost their lives in the accident. Efforts were made to extract one of the bodies from the wreckage, while the other two were found outside the helicopter. The close-knit community of Puçol was deeply affected by the tragic incident, with local authorities and emergency services working to manage the aftermath and prevent further risks to public safety.
The helicopter crash is a stark reminder of the risks associated with aerial work and the importance of safety protocols in such operations. The incident has raised concerns among residents and authorities about the safety of aerial inspections and the potential dangers posed by power lines. The investigation into the accident will shed light on the circumstances leading to the tragic event and help prevent similar incidents in the future. The loss of three lives in the accident has had a profound impact on the community and serves as a reminder of the risks faced by those working in high-risk environments such as aerial inspections of power lines.
