Three police officers died on Sunday when their helicopter crashed during a mountain rescue mission in León.
The three officers, Captain Emilio Pérez Peláez, Lieutenant Marcos Antonio Benito Rodríguez and officer José Martínez Conejo, died when the helicopter hit the side of the mountain. The captain and lieutenant were members of the Guardia Civil Air Service and were based in Virgen del Camino. The officer was a member of the Moutain Rescue Unit (GREIM) and was based in Sabero.
The helicopter was carrying two pilots and two rescue officers, one of whom had already left the chopper to assist an injured mountaineer. The man on the ground had requested assistance and it was after this that the accident occurred.