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University names air crash victim University names air crash victim
(about 1 hour later)
One of the victims of a light aircraft crash in the French Alps has been named as Dr Shimon Awerbuch, an Israeli-born US national who lived in East Sussex.One of the victims of a light aircraft crash in the French Alps has been named as Dr Shimon Awerbuch, an Israeli-born US national who lived in East Sussex.
His identity was confirmed by the University of Sussex, where Dr Awerbuch was a senior fellow in the science and technology policy research unit.His identity was confirmed by the University of Sussex, where Dr Awerbuch was a senior fellow in the science and technology policy research unit.
He was the pilot of a Piper Seneca that crashed on Saturday after taking off from Shoreham Airport, West Sussex. He was the pilot of a Piper Seneca which crashed in France on Saturday.
Two other people, an American woman and child, were also killed in the crash. Two passengers, understood by the university to be Dr Awerbuch's partner and son, were also killed in the crash.
Dr Awerbuch's website said he was a financial economist of 30 years' experience, who had previously served as a senior adviser for energy economics, finance and technology with the International Energy Agency in Paris. French police said on Monday that an American woman and child were the other victims.
A University of Sussex spokeswoman said they were given official confirmation of his death by the American Embassy in Paris on Monday evening. He was a very good colleague and friend Professor Gordon Mackerron
Dr Awerbuch, who lived in Hove, flew from Shoreham Airport in West Sussex on Saturday.
Professor Gordon Mackerron, a colleague of his at the university-based Sussex Energy Group, said: "We knew the three of them were planning to leave Shoreham on Saturday to go on holiday in France.
"We're obviously very shocked and saddened because all three of them have died so suddenly and tragically."
A University of Sussex spokesman said they were given official confirmation of Dr Awerbuch's death by the American Embassy in Paris on Monday evening.
"Our understanding is that the other victims were his partner and his son," the spokesman added.
Rescue teamsRescue teams
The aircraft was bound for Cannes when Dr Awerbuch, who lived in Hove, contacted air traffic control in France to say he was having trouble in a snow storm. Prof Mackerron said he had worked with 60-year-old Dr Awerbuch for two years.
The plane disappeared from radar screens moments later and rescue helicopters were scrambled to locate it. "He was a very good colleague and friend," he said.
"He was extremely supportive, always friendly, very outgoing and very enthusiastic."
The aircraft was bound for Cannes when Dr Awerbuch contacted air traffic control in France to say he was having trouble in a snow storm.
The plane disappeared from radar screens moments later.
A mountain rescue team working on foot eventually found the crash scene, at Grand Veymont, on Sunday.A mountain rescue team working on foot eventually found the crash scene, at Grand Veymont, on Sunday.
The plane appeared to have hit a rock face and broken apart on impact, killing all three on board instantly.The plane appeared to have hit a rock face and broken apart on impact, killing all three on board instantly.
The Piper Seneca was not registered in Britain, but John Haffenden, manager of Shoreham Airport, said: "It certainly flew regularly from here to other airports both in the UK and abroad."The Piper Seneca was not registered in Britain, but John Haffenden, manager of Shoreham Airport, said: "It certainly flew regularly from here to other airports both in the UK and abroad."
Mr Haffenden said the airport was co-operating with the authorities in the UK, France and America.