Three dead in light aircraft crash

GOPR members approaching the accident site: photo - PAP/Grzegorz Momot

“The aircraft was flying from Poznan to Bratislava,” revealed Jerzy Siodlak, head of a team from the Mountain Volunteer Search and Rescue (GOPR) organisation, in an interview with Polish Radio.

“All those on board died,” he confirmed.

GOPR had been informed by the Civil Aviation Authority (ULC) on Thursday morning that the aircraft's signal had disappeared from the radar.

“They indicated towards an area between Mount Zar and Babia Gora - this is a vast expanse,” he stressed.

Siodlak said that the accident occurred in an area that was particularly hard to access. Off-road vehicles had to be used to get near the site.

“At the site they [GOPR members] found the wrecked plane and three charred bodies,” he said.

Police have said that at present, it is not possible to determine the precise cause of the accident.

However, it may have been poor weather conditions. There was intermittent mist in the mountains on Thursday. (nh)