Fire Fighting Helicopter Pilot Killed

A helicopter pilot, who was working to extinguish forest fires in the La Roza area of Parres (Asturias), has been killed when his aircraft crashed into a hillside.

In an official statement from a government spokesperson, early indications are that the crash was caused due to poor visibility caused by smoke and fog.

Condolences have been sent to the family of the pilot who was working in the interest of public safety and lost his life in the line of duty. José Antonio Rodríguez was 46 years of age and from Madrid, who worked for the private company contracted to do this kind of work.

At the time of the incident, fire fighters were battling eight major fires in the area, only seven of which were under control.