Fatal Accident: Champion stunt driver dies in collision with vulture – Cities

Champion aerobatic pilot Olivier Masurel, aged 42, died on Monday night (6) after his plane collided with a vulture, a bird of prey, and crashed.

Masurel had performed at an air show in San Javier and was returning to Madrid when the accident occurred. According to a spokesperson for the regional government’s Emergency Response Coordination Center, the plane caught fire after impact with the ground.

“Firefighters from Alcazar de San Juan were mobilized yesterday afternoon following an accident with a light aircraft. The plane caught fire after hitting the ground near the CM-3012 road, causing the death of the pilot and sole occupant of the aircraft”, declared the spokesperson.

In a statement, the San Javier Airshow, where Masurel had performed, mourned his death: “We are heartbroken by the news of the fatal accident suffered by Olivier Masurel, an aerobatic pilot who took part in the air show. A vulture crashed into his cabin and he died. The accident happened after the festival ended, just minutes before he was due to return to his destination. We accompany his family and friends in this sad loss.”

“Flying has been Olivier’s passion and this fatal accident cost him his life. Fly high, dear Olivier”, concluded the tribute.