British businessman sufferer in Swiss Alps aircraft crash as tributes paid to ‘adored grandfather’
Owain Davies, 55, managing director of Carmarthenshire engineering firm Amcanu, was a passenger in a light aircraft which crashed near the Leukerbad resort in the Swiss Alps
Owain Davies has been named as one of the British victims in the plane crash in Switzerland (Image: Amcanu)
A respected British businessman has been identified as one of three individuals who perished in a plane crash in the Swiss Alps. Owain Davies, hailing from west Wales, served as managing director of engineering company Amcanu, headquartered in Burry Port, Carmarthenshire.
The 55-year-old’s son Aron paid tribute to his father as a “real character” and revealed his family has endured “an unimaginable loss”. Amcanu, which was established by Mr Davies’ father Spencer Davies OBE in Burry Port in 1975, confirmed his death with “profound sadness”, characterising him as “strong-willed, spirited, determined and deeply caring”.
The father-of-two and “adored grandfather” was travelling as a passenger in a light aircraft that came down in a popular resort in the Swiss Alps on Tuesday afternoon (September 15).
Three people tragically died in a horror plane crash(Image: Valais Cantonal Police)
The Cirrus SR22T aircraft plummeted on the north slope of a mountain in the Loeche-les-Bains resort – also known as Leukerbad – in the southern canton of Valais shortly after 4pm on Tuesday, authorities confirmed.
Mr Davies was one of two Britons who lost their lives, reports Wales Online.
The remaining victims are yet to be identified. The Swiss Safety Investigation Authority has launched a probe into what caused the crash.
In tribute to Mr Davies, Amcanu described him as a “passionate and experienced pilot”. It is understood he was travelling as a passenger with two close companions when the light aircraft went down.
His son revealed he “was driven, determined and someone who simply didn’t accept that a problem was too big to solve.”
He added: “I am immensely proud of everything he achieved, but I am even prouder to have had him as my father,” he said of his father. “He was my mentor throughout my life, personally and in business, and I know many people at Amcanu will feel that they have lost a mentor too.
“Our family has suffered an unimaginable loss, and we are incredibly grateful for the kindness and support already being shown to us.”
Amcanu stated: “Owain was a highly respected figure within Welsh manufacturing and business, but to those who knew him personally he was much more than that.
“Family was at the centre of Owain’s life. He was devoted to his wife Michelle, immensely proud of his children Aron and Ffion, and adored being a grandfather to Oakley and Albie.
“He was widely known throughout the local community of Burry Port and supported schools, sporting organisations, community groups and charities over many years.
“A proud Welshman and Welsh speaker, he was also a strong advocate for Welsh manufacturing and Welsh business.”
The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office confirmed it was “providing support to the families of two British nationals who died in Switzerland”.
Officials were in contact with the local authorities, the department said. “Our thoughts remain with the families during this difficult time,” it added.
