A Swiss pilot has flown his small airplane into his mother’s house near Schaffhausen, northern Switzerland, in what reports say appears to have been a suicide. 

"/> A Swiss pilot has flown his small airplane into his mother’s house near Schaffhausen, northern Switzerland, in what reports say appears to have been a suicide. 

" />
Read news from:
Austria
SHARE
COPY LINK

SCHAFFHAUSEN

Suicide suspected as pilot rams mum’s house

A Swiss pilot has flown his small airplane into his mother’s house near Schaffhausen, northern Switzerland, in what reports say appears to have been a suicide. 

Published: 19 July 2011 09:58 CEST

The pilot, a 48-year-old Swiss man, flew his twin-engine aircraft into the woman’s house in Oberhallau on Saturday, dying in the crash while the woman survived, said a report in the Corriere del Ticino newspaper.

According to the paper, authorities recovered a suicide note from the man, indicating the act was deliberate. It is not clear whether the man was attempting to kill his mother, but the paper said witnesses recounted the man had financial problems and had asked his family for help.

An investigation is trying to determine if the man was flying with passengers and a forensic analysis of the human remains found in the house is currently under way, the paper said. 

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.

SCHAFFHAUSEN

UPDATED: Swiss police arrest suspected chainsaw attacker

Swiss police on Tuesday tracked down and arrested a man believed to have carried out a chainsaw attack in a Schaffhausen office building which left several injured.

Published: 26 July 2017 08:27 CEST
Updated: 26 July 2017 10:58 CEST
UPDATED: Swiss police arrest suspected chainsaw attacker
Police in Schaffhausen after the attack. Photo: Michael Buholzer/AFP
Schaffhausen police said in a statement that a suspect was arrested by Zurich police late on Tuesday in Thalwil, a town south of Zurich.
 
In a press conference and additional statement on Wednesday morning police said the suspect was located thanks to help from the public, who had reported his presence in Thalwil. 
 
He was alone and on foot at the time he was apprehended, and did not resist arrest.
 
The chainsaw used in the attack was not in his possession, but he was carrying two loaded crossbows and two sharpened pieces of wood in a plastic bag.
   
The alleged perpetrator was identified on Monday as police appealed to the public to help track him down.
 
The suspect has a criminal history and had reportedly been living in a forest.
 
He is alleged to have targeted the CSS insurance company in the northern town of Schaffhausen, storming into their office and injuring two people, one of them seriously.
   
Three other people suffered various injuries amid the subsequent fracas.
 
The suspect was caught on camera just before the attack carrying a black bag and rucksack in a photo that police issued to the public during a massive manhunt. 
 
An international warrant was issued for his arrest and Schaffhausen police were helped by police forces from neighbouring cantons in their search.
 
Over 300 police officers were involved in the search.