A Carmarthenshire businessman has been named among three people killed in a plane crash in the Swiss Alps.
Owain Davies, managing director of engineering company Amcanu based in Burry Port, Carmarthenshire, died when the Cirrus SR22T aircraft crashed on the north slope of a mountain in Loeche-les-Bains, also known as Leukerbad, in the Valais region of southern Switzerland.
The crash occurred just after 4pm on Tuesday.
In a statement, Amcanu described Mr Davies as a "determined, strong-willed, spirited, reflective and immensely proud" individual, and said it was announcing his death "with the heaviest of hearts."
The company said: "Where others might see something daunting or difficult, Owain’s instinct was to work out what could be done and then get on with it.
"Occasionally that determination could make him seem a little brash, but behind it was a deeply caring person who genuinely wanted the best for his family, his employees, his business and his community.
"Owain’s strength of character earned him enormous respect and admiration."
Mr Davies was travelling as a passenger alongside two close friends at the time of the crash.
He was described by the company as a husband, son, father of two, and grandfather of two.
Amcanu was founded by Mr Davies’ father, Spencer Davies, in 1975, and his children Aron and Ffion are now involved in the business.
The company revealed that in one of their final conversations, Mr Davies had expressed confidence in his son Aron, who was taking the lead at Amcanu in his absence.
The company said: "Owain was away on a flying trip, doing what he loved, while Aron was back at Amcanu, sitting at his father’s desk and taking the lead in his absence.
"Owain expressed a great deal of confidence in him – a moment that now carries extraordinary significance."
Mr Davies was also an experienced pilot who loved flying, often taking to the skies in his helicopter when he had the chance.
The company said: "He didn’t make a great show of it.
"In fact, many people who knew him professionally may never have known how important aviation was to him.
"The circumstances of his death are devastating, but flying was something that brought Owain enormous happiness throughout his life."
Witnesses reported seeing a large amount of smoke following the crash.
Emergency services from the Valais canton rescue organisation responded with three helicopters and two rescue specialists.
They confirmed that all three people on board had died.
Police, firefighters from Loeche-les-Bains and Sion airport, and the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board (STSB) also attended the scene.
A spokesperson for the Foreign Office said: "We are providing support to the families of two British nationals who died in Switzerland and are in contact with the local authorities.
"Our thoughts remain with the families during this difficult time."
The aircraft had departed from Lugano in southern Switzerland, made a stop in Sion, and was en route to Buochs in the Nidwalden canton when it crashed.
The Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board has launched an investigation into the cause of the crash.
A separate criminal investigation is also underway, led by the Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland and local Valais police.
Loeche-les-Bains is known as the largest alpine thermal spa destination in the Alps and is also popular for hiking, skiing, climbing, and mountain biking.
The resort is located around 39 miles from Bern and 93 miles from Lausanne.
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