Kellner family suing three Alaska companies over billionaire’s death

The family of Czech billionaire Petr Kellner, killed in a 2021 heli-skiing crash in Alaska, is suing the Alaska helicopter company, lodge and guiding service involved, alleging his death was caused by negligent monitoring and response that delayed the rescue operation. The attorney for the sole survivor, snowboarder David Horvath, told the Anchorage Daily News that Horvath said Kellner was alive for more than two hours after the crash. Rescuers only arrived at the scene five hours after it happened. Apparently the helicopter device that could have alerted rescuers to the crash wasn't activated.

Snowboarder Benjamin Larochaix, guides Gregory Harms and Sean Mc Manamy and pilot Zachary Russell died in the crash along with Kellner. Only snowboarder David Horvath survived. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash. A final report is expected by midsummer.