Alps crash kills Britain-based couple and child

A couple and their child were killed when a small plane flying from Britain crashed into the side of a mountain in the French Alps.

The bodies were discovered at the crash scene after mountain rescue teams searched through the night.

An American passport belonging to the pilot was found with the plane which indicated he had lived or worked in Britain for six years, according to French officials.

The plane left Shoreham Airport in West Sussex, where it was based, on Saturday and the family of three was flying to Cannes in the French Gilles Barsacq, secretary general of the prefecture in the Alpine Isere region of France, said they were believed to be American but living in Britain.

They died instantly when the plane lost control in a snow storm as it flew over the French Alps and slammed into the side of a mountain in the Grand Veymont area.

Mr Barsacq said the pilot contacted air traffic control at around 2pm to say he was in trouble, but that the twin-engine plane disappeared from radar screens moments later.

Rescue helicopters were immediately scrambled to try and locate it, but struggled in the weather conditions and could not begin a proper search until later that evening.

The operation, involving up to 100 men and at least five helicopters, lasted through the night.

Mr Barsacq said the bodies were of a man, woman and child but could not give any details other than the pilot had a U.S. passport.