Three killed in copter crash near F1 track

NEVERS: Three people were killed and two severely injured in a helicopter crash on the eve of the French Formula One Grand Prix in Magny-Cours that begins on Sunday, authorities said.

Unconfirmed reports said the unfortunate passengers included personnel from tyre makers Bridgestone, but no Formula One drivers or VIPs for Sunday's race. Bridgestone supplies tyres in F1 racing since 1997.

The helicopter crashed into a forest late Saturday night while on a shuttle flight from a hotel to the nearby Magny-Cours racetrack. The cause of the accident is yet to be determined. Local authorities said on Sunday's race would go ahead as planned.

No details on the identity of the crash victims were given because their relatives were to be informed first. Reports spoke of four men and one woman and that the helicopter pilot was among the three dead. Passengers reportedly included a Belgian citizen and one from New Zealand.

Saturday night's incident is the second copter crash within a few weeks around a sports event.

In early May, former Chelsea vice-president Phillip Carter and three other people on board died when their helicopter crashed in Britain on the return flight from Chelsea's Champions League match in Liverpool.