When the rescue helicopter — which was hovering over the scene — moved its position, rocks and tree branches suddenly tumbled down the slope over the patient (who had fallen and summoned help) and the two rescue workers on the ground. The man was airlifted to a hospital in Kofu where he was confirmed dead. The two rescue workers sustained light injuries. Police are investigating the details of the rock slide, which may have been caused by the helicopter. There is no mention in available press of damage to the helicopter
Fatality named as 49-year-old Tomohiro Ito, a banker from Yokohama.
