SANTIAGO, Jan 17 (NNN-MERCOPRESS) — A Spanish pilot lost his life when the firefighting plane he was operating crashed in the central Maule region, as reported by the National Forestry Corporation (Conaf) of Chile.
Christian Little, the executive director of Conaf, expressed, “He was the Chief Pilot in Spain and had a lot of experience.”
Initial reports suggest that the pilot lost control of the aircraft, “colliding with power lines,” and crashed onto the highway near the city of Talca, approximately 250 kilometers south of the capital, Santiago de Chile.
The crash involved two vehicles, causing injuries of varying severity to four individuals, according to EFE news agency.
The late aviator was identified as Fernando Solans Robles, a 58-year-old pilot, as detailed by the local newspaper La Tercera.
Cristina Bravo, the regional governor of Maule, expressed condolences for the accident and extended sympathies to the pilot’s family. She also urged vigilance in preventing forest fires, stating, “Today we have lost the life of a pilot who was working for Conaf and was assisting us in the firefight against forest fires.” — NNN-MERCOPRESS
