Chamonix helicopter narrowly avoids collision with paragliders

A Chamonix mountain rescue helicopter narrowly avoided a collision with two paragliders during a night flight on Monday, September 21. The PGHM (Peloton de gendarmerie de haute montagne) crew was returning from a mission in the Plan de l’Aiguille sector to collect rescuers and a doctor when the paragliders appeared from above.

Night paragliding is strictly prohibited in France. Following the near-miss, the two pilots reportedly landed at Bois du Bouchet and fled the scene on foot. Authorities noted that such illegal night flights are a recurring risk in the Chamonix valley during the summer months due to high traffic and frequent rescue operations.