Agence France-Presse in Tarbes From The Guardian UK

The dead, who were all in their 40s, included the pilot, co-pilot and two mountain rescue specialists involved in training exercise

Four French police have been killed in a helicopter crash in the Pyrenees mountain range along the border with Spain.

The accident happened at an altitude of between 2,000 and 3,000 metres near the Vignemale, the highest peak on the French side of the mountains, authorities said.

The dead, who were all in their 40s, included the pilot, co-pilot and two mountain rescue specialists involved in a training exercise, local authorities said.

Eric Serfass, the prosecutor from the nearby town of Tarbes who announced an investigation into the crash, said although weather at the time of the crash on Friday had been good, flying at such altitudes was “extremely difficult”.

The last fatal police helicopter crash in France occurred in 1997, also in the Pyrenees. Two people were killed.

In 2009 a helicopter carrying a pregnant woman in Corsica crashed shortly after she gave birth mid-air, killing the mother, her newborn baby, the doctor and two crew.

IMAGE: A French police helicopter. Four officers were killed in a helicopter crash in the Pyrenees, close to the Spanish border. Photograph: Matthieu Alexandre/AFP/Getty Images

For more on this story go to: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/may/21/four-french-police-killed-in-pyrenees-helicopter-crash?utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=GU+Today+main+NEW+H+categories&utm_term=173366&subid=11926420&CMP=EMCNEWEML6619I2

EDITOR: The helicopter that crashed we have been informed was an Eurocopter EC135. This is the same make and model the RCIPS AOU operate.

From RCIPS

Air Operations Unit

The RCIPS Air Operations Unit objective is to provide Aerial Response to the police and other law enforcement agencies and enhance the service delivery of those agencies, within the highest possible level of safety.

The AOU provide a critical element in the border protection of the Cayman Islands, enhancing the security of the Cayman Islands residents and visitors.

The RCIPS AOU operate an Eurocopter EC135 advanced police helicopter, equipped with stabilized day and low light camera, FLIR heat tracking camera for day or night use, SX5 starburst light for ground illumination, 700 watt Skyshout public address system and video microwave downlinking. The aircraft is also equipped with lifebuoys and life raft, and foldable stretcher for casualty evacuation in life endangered situations.

Operated with a standard crew of three, the RCIPS directly employed pilots work with trained and certified police tactical flight officers, who are selected for their policing skills and then trained to the required standards under the CI CAA issued Police Air Operators Certificate. All pilots and tactical flight officers are rigorously tested to ensure they continue to meet the requirements to operate the police aircraft to the highest possible safety standards.

Whilst the AOU will undertake any task that will enhance the policing, law enforcement or public safety of the Cayman Islands, typical tasking is for offender, person, vessel or vehicle searches, scene containment, area observation and incident response.

The AOU works closely with all respective specialist departments, especially the RCIPS Joint Marine Unit and Uniform Support Group.

The following is taken from the ASN Aviation Safety Database:

SOURCE: https://aviation-safety.net/wikibase/dblist.php?AcType=EC35