Welsh businessman Owain Davies named among three killed in Swiss Alps plane crash
Welsh business leader remembered
A prominent Welsh businessman has been named as one of three people killed in a plane crash in the Swiss Alps.
Owain Davies, from west Wales, was managing director of Amcanu, an engineering firm based in Burry Port, Carmarthenshire. The company announced his death with “profound sadness,” describing him as “strong-willed, spirited, determined and deeply caring.”
Davies was killed when a single-engine Cirrus SR22T crashed high in the mountains near Leukerbad in the southern canton of Valais on Tuesday. Formal identification of the other two victims is underway, including another British national who has not yet been named.
Police released a photo from the crash scene, where witnesses reported seeing fire and smoke. The image was credited to Police Cantonale Valaisanne.
Flight left Sion Airport
Authorities said the plane took off from Sion Airport in the Rhône Valley and, for unknown reasons, crashed into a mountain slope about 10 minutes later.
Emergency teams from the Valais Rescue Organization, police and firefighters were sent to the scene, along with three helicopters.
The Swiss Transportation Safety Board has started an investigation. The Valais Police and the Office of the Attorney General have also launched an inquiry. No cause has been identified.
The accident occurred in a mountainous region where terrain and weather can pose significant challenges for pilots. The Cirrus SR22T, a single-engine aircraft widely used for private and business travel, was flying in an area known for its dramatic alpine landscape and changeable conditions.
Support for families
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed it was “providing support to the families of two British nationals who died in Switzerland.” Officials were in contact with local authorities, the office said.
“Our thoughts remain with the families during this difficult time,” it said.
Davies’s death has been felt acutely in west Wales, where Amcanu is a local employer and he was a prominent figure in the business community. The company’s tribute underscored the loss of a leader remembered for both determination and compassion, as investigators work to piece together what happened aboard the light aircraft.