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Journalist Breaks Down On Air Reporting Friend's Death in Helicopter Crash
🇦🇷 Argentina /Disasters & Emergencies

Journalist Breaks Down On Air Reporting Friend's Death in Helicopter Crash

From La Nación · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • A journalist broke down on air while reporting on the death of his friend, a police official, in a helicopter crash in San Juan.
  • The helicopter, carrying seven people including four provincial officials, crashed while participating in a wildfire fighting training.
  • The journalist described the difficult conditions, including low cloud cover, that may have contributed to the accident.

Journalist Mauricio Dávila became visibly emotional on air while reporting the tragic death of his friend, Police Commissioner General Germán Videla, who was among the seven victims of a helicopter crash in San Juan. Dávila, speaking on TN, described the scene as "impressive" and "shattered."

The aircraft has shattered, it's impressive.

— Mauricio DávilaDescribing the scene of the helicopter crash.

Videla, the deputy chief of the San Juan Police, was participating in a wildfire fighting training course in Ischigualasto Provincial Park. Dávila recounted that Videla had sent him a photo from the helicopter earlier that morning, around 9:28 a.m., detailing his task. "I had a relationship almost of friendship with Germán," Dávila said, his voice trembling.

I had a relationship almost of friendship with Germán. He sent me a photo at 9 in the morning today.

— Mauricio DávilaRecounting his last contact with the victim.

The helicopter reportedly encountered low cloud cover while attempting to navigate the mountains of Valle Fértil, a condition that may have played a role in the accident. Dávila expressed the profound shock and grief felt throughout San Juan, a province where many residents know each other. "It's a small province where emotion strikes us hard because we all know each other," he lamented, his tears flowing as he spoke of the devastating loss for the victims' families.

A hug to heaven, dear Germán, look how you left.

— Mauricio DávilaExpressing grief over his friend's death.

The news is developing, with authorities investigating the cause of the crash. The incident has cast a somber mood over the province, highlighting the dangers faced by emergency responders and the close-knit nature of the community.

Forgive me if I break down.

— Mauricio DávilaWarning the audience before becoming emotional.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by La Nación in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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