Praise for 'universally loved' Courage brewing heir who saved two British ... trends now

The Courage brewing heir who saved two British skiing brothers after their helicopter crashed during Swiss Alps avalanche that left three dead has been hailed by locals as being 'universally loved'.

Edward Courage was alongside brothers Guy and Ted Hutchings when the helicopter they were in ploughed into a rock face.

Mr Courage, 68, pushed Guy, 23, and Ted, 18, out of the aircraft as disaster struck during an early morning heli-skiing trip in the Swiss Alps.

He suffered several broken bones but his quick thinking saved their lives. He is now recieving treatment for broken bones at a local hospital, The Times understands.

Three other fliers, pilot Jerome Lovey, guide Adam George, 45, and fellow skier James Goff, 34, were killed in Tuesday’s tragedy at Le Petit Combin above the resort of Verbier.

Michael Stannard, 75, described Mr Courage as a dear friend - and told The Times of his dread as he feared his pal had died when he heard of the crash.

'As soon as I heard about the helicopter crash, my initial thought was: 'Oh God, I hope it's not him' as I knew he was going out heli-skiing on Tuesday', he told the broadsheet.

'It was a great shock to learn that it was him, and a great relief that he had survivced. Obviously when I heard the initial news I didn't think there would be any survivors.

Mr Courage attended the English-Speaking Church in Verbier every Sunday, Mr Stannard, who sits on the organisation's committee, told the newspaper. 

And speaking of the British man's heroism, he continued: 'I would expect it of him. He must have used instant judgment and fortunately saved them. He's been skiing for many years. He's highly experienced and highly responsible. Thank god three of the six survived. 

Weather conditions were said to be good at the time, but one experienced pilot told local media the area was ‘prone to gusts’.

Officials said the B3 helicopter, operated by local firm Air Glaciers, hit the mountainside, plunged into snow, then triggered an avalanche as it slid down the steep slope.

Mr Courage pushed the brothers to safety, then survived a 1,640ft drop as well as a further 100ft plunge into a crevasse, where he was eventually rescued five hours later.

The Hutchings brothers’ parents, Richard and Maeve, who live in Cobham, Surrey, said in a statement: ‘Our thoughts are with the families of James, Adam and the pilot for their appalling losses.

‘Ted was released from hospital today on crutches. Guy is still in hospital. No operations currently required but severely beaten up and bed-bound.’