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French sports stars Camille Muffat, Alexis Vastine and Florence Arthaud among 10 killed in Argentina helicopter crash French sports stars Camille Muffat, Alexis Vastine and Florence Arthaud among 10 killed in Argentina helicopter crash
(about 1 hour later)
Two helicopters carrying French sports stars filming a popular European reality show have crashed in a remote part of Argentina, killing 10 people, including two Olympic medal winners and a sailing champion, authorities said. Three French sports stars are among 10 people killed when two helicopters carrying them crashed in a remote part of Argentina, authorities say.
Among the dead were French Olympic gold medal swimmer Camille Muffat, Olympic boxer Alexis Vastine and sailor Florence Arthaud, according to a statement from the provincial government. French Olympic gold medal swimmer Camille Muffat, Olympic boxer Alexis Vastine and sailor Florence Arthaud died when the helicopters apparently collided mid-air Monday near Villa Castelli in La Rioja province, about 730 miles (1,170 kilometres) northwest of Buenos Aires.
The helicopters apparently collided in midair Monday near Villa Castelli in La Rioja province, about 730 miles (1,170 kilometers) northwest of Buenos Aires, La Rioja Secretary of Security Cesar Angulo told TN television. All 10 people on board — eight French nationals and two Argentine pilots — were killed. Eight French nationals and two Argentine pilots were killed in total.
“An explosion occurred and it's believed that they collided,” said Angulo, referring to the helicopters. Photographs showed the burning and smoking wreckage of the helicopters on the ground in dry scrubland with people gathered nearby. The Argentine statement identified the remaining victims as Laurent Sbasnik, Lucie Mei-Dalby, Volodia Guinard, Brice Guilbert and Edouard Gilles, as well as Argentine pilots Juan Carlos Castillo and Roberto Abate.
The smoking wreckage of one of the helicopters in Villa Castelli The news of the deaths during the filming of the reality survival show Dropped sent the French sports world into mourning. The cause of the crash remains unclear and officials say weather conditions at the time were good. La Rioja Secretary of Security, Cesar Angulo, told TN television: “An explosion occurred and it's believed that they [the helicopters] collided.”
“The brutal demise of our compatriots is an immense sadness,” said French President Francois Hollande in a statement. The smoking wreckage of one of the helicopters in Villa Castelli
Muffat, 25, won the gold medal in the 400-metre freestyle at the Olympic Games in 2012, adding a silver medal in the 200-metre freestyle and a bronze in the 4 by 200-metre freestyle relay. She had since retired from swimming to focus on her personal life. The stars were filming a popular European celebrity reality show called Dropped when the apparent collision occurred. The survival programme follows contestants in rugged terrains as they attempt to find their own food and build their own shelter. 
“Camille was quite a shy and reserved person. She was discreet. But when it was time for a bit of a laugh she was always there,” Olympic gold medalist Amaury Leveaux said. “French sport has lost a great champion.” The show's producers, Adventure Line Productions (ADL), released a statement confirming the 10 deaths.
Alexis Vastine won a bronze medal at the 2008 Games in Beijing, but his semifinal loss to Manuel Felix Diaz was marred in controversy as he was docked points by the referee in the final round. Vastine broke down in tears after the defeat. "All the ADL teams are devastated and share the deep pain of the families and loved ones they are in contact with," it said. "We are in contact with the production teams on site (and) with the French and Argentine authorities. We will give more information as soon as possible."
Locals gather at the site of the crash In 2012, he lost in the quarterfinals at the London Games also amid controversy when he drew on points against Taras Shelestyuk of Ukraine but lost on the countback rule, thus missing out on a medal. Locals gather at the site of the crash
French President Francois Hollande paid tribute to the Olympian’s death in a statement. "The brutal demise of our compatriots is an immense sadness,” he said on Tuesday.
“Some had finished their careers and one was dreaming of gold in Rio,” French Secretary of State for Sport Thierry Braillard said on BFM TV channel. “I'm profoundly saddened. French sport has lost three stars this morning.”“Some had finished their careers and one was dreaming of gold in Rio,” French Secretary of State for Sport Thierry Braillard said on BFM TV channel. “I'm profoundly saddened. French sport has lost three stars this morning.”
Former France and Arsenal striker Sylvain Wiltord, ice skating champion Philippe Candeloro and former Olympic swimming champion Alain Bernard and veteran cyclist Jeannie Longo are among the other French athletes who took part in the show, but none were involved in the accident.Former France and Arsenal striker Sylvain Wiltord, ice skating champion Philippe Candeloro and former Olympic swimming champion Alain Bernard and veteran cyclist Jeannie Longo are among the other French athletes who took part in the show, but none were involved in the accident.
“I am sad for my friends, I'm trembling, I'm horrified, I don't have words. I can't say anything,” Wiltord tweeted.“I am sad for my friends, I'm trembling, I'm horrified, I don't have words. I can't say anything,” Wiltord tweeted.
Arthaud, who was 57, was a pioneer in sailing. In 1990, she won the famed Route du Rhum race — a trans-Atlantic single-handed yacht race between Brittany and the Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe — on her boat Pierre 1er. Je suis triste pour mes amis , je tremble , je suis horrifié , je n'ai pas de mots , je ne veux rien dire #Tristesse #Pleurs #JesuisàParis
The crew had arrived on Sunday in Villa Castelli, where it had previously filmed a version of “Dropped” show for Switzerland and Denmark, said the mayor of Villa Castelli, Andres Navarrete. Wiltford was a contestant on Dropped, but was eliminated from the show and flew home last week, according to BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
The Argentine statement identified the remaining victims as Laurent Sbasnik, Lucie Mei-Dalby, Volodia Guinard, Brice Guilbert and Edouard Gilles, as well as Argentine pilots Juan Carlos Castillo and Roberto Abate. Muffat, 25, won the gold medal in the 400-metre freestyle at the Olympic Games in 2012, adding a silver medal in the 200-metre freestyle and a bronze in the four by 200-metre freestyle relay.
Argentine authorities were at the scene of the crash late Monday trying to determine its cause. “Camille was quite a shy and reserved person. She was discreet. But when it was time for a bit of a laugh she was always there,” Olympic gold medalist Amaury Leveaux said. “French sport has lost a great champion.” Alexis Vastine won a bronze medal at the 2008 Games in Beijing.
Angulo said one of the helicopters belonged to La Rioja province and the other belonged to neighboring Santiago del Estero province. Arthaud, who was 57, was a pioneer in sailing. In 1990, she won the Route du Rhum race, a trans-Atlantic single-handed yacht race between Brittany and the Caribbean islands of Guadeloupe.
“The helicopter from La Rioja was a Eurocopter with a capacity to hold six people. It appears to have brushed against the other helicopter from Santiago del Estero shortly after takeoff,” the statement from the provincial government said. Additional reporting by The Associated Press
A rugged, sparsely populated area is on the edge of the Andes mountain range that separates Argentina and Chile. The crash happened around 5:15 p.m. local time, according to Argentine news agency Telam.
AP