Helicopter Crash at Magny-Cours
It has emerged that three people were killed and two severely injured in a helicopter crash on the eve of the French Grand Prix. The helicopter crashed into a forest at 8pm whilst on a shuttle flight between a hotel and the track. There is no news yet on what caused the helicopter to crash on Saturday night.
Emmanuel Longobardi, public relations for Quiksilver and friend of World champion Fernando Alonso, died in the crash. New Zealander Simon McGill was also killed along with the helicopter pilot Pierre Bennehard. Nicolas Duquesne from Bridgestone’s EU Marketing team and his niece Chloe Daudier de Cassini were also aboard the helicopter, but managed to escape and are currently in hospital in Nevers and Dijon undergoing treatment.
Paula McGill | Jul 6, 2007 | Reply
Hello. My brother, Simon McGill, was tragically killed in the helicopter crash at Magny Cours. Can somebody let me know the email address of a TV company in France who may have gone to the crash site to report the accident. I know this might sound a bit weird but when you are thousands of kilometers away it would be good to see the actual terrain the helicopter went down in etc.
The only consolation for all our family is that he was doing what he loved; he always lived life on the edge. The sadest thing is that he is never going to get to meet his son who is due in October. My condolences to all the other families who lost their loved ones in the crash.
Jane | Jul 9, 2007 | Reply
Saw this on the internet. Our hearts go out to your family.
http://www.lejsl.com/actu/faitsdiv/20070703.JSA0367.html
Kathryn Locke nee Soanes | Jul 11, 2007 | Reply
I have recently heard, I met Simon only once, what an amazingly bright man. Gerard, Paula and your family I am so sad for your loss. Much love and thoughts, Kathryn Locke
Serkan Aksakal | Jul 13, 2007 | Reply
I have just heard that Simon has passed away. I want to express my deepest sympathy in his loss. We are his new tenants and have just moved in to his house in Beaconsfield. Though it s been a very short time, we had a very close relationship and I was expecting to see him this week to chat about Silverstone, Indianapolis and Canada GPs.
Me and my all family are still in shock and please accept our sincere condolences.
I deepest sympathy.
Serkan Aksakal
Erin and John Griffin | Jul 16, 2007 | Reply
John and I flatted with Simon in London about 20 years ago in Wimbledon Park when we were all backpackers on the big OE. We have awesome memories of our time with him then, a lot of laughs. The skiing trip to Levigno, road trips to Brighton and Cornwall, his little box room at the top of the stairs! The big overcoat and the 12 hole Doc Martins. He was larger than life and we are so sad that he won’t meet his son. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to his partner and family.
Melanie Green | Jul 24, 2007 | Reply
I am so sorry for your loss. I worked with Simon to promote Grand Prix events to our AMEX customers in the UK and, though we met only on a few occasions, I held him in great regard. He was so passionate about F1 and worked tirelessly to provide the very best access for us. I had only recently spoken to him on the phone and he very kindly offered to help a friend find a work placement in events management. He was an entertaining character and will be sadly missed by those who had the pleasure to know him.
Steve Sigley | Jul 25, 2007 | Reply
Paula , both Clare (nee McIvor) & I were deeply sad to here about Simon. Hard not to think back to school days and the neighbour rivalry. All part of growing up & having fun. Clare remembers the get togethers with the McGills & Campbells.
Please pass on our condolences to the rest of the family.
Steve
Amber Lounge Team | Jul 31, 2007 | Reply
A true professional and lovely person, always a pleasure to deal with – one of the real good guys..!! Such a sad loss, we are all so shocked…
Our thoughts are with his family at this very difficult time.
Sonia and the team.
peter howes | Jan 9, 2008 | Reply
i have just found out from melanie about simon, i am shocked, he was such a nice guy, good for a laugh and a joke, ive known simon about ten years and worked on his houses in addington and beaconsfield, we were always sending jokes to each other by text, he will be missed by all
Simon Boynett | Aug 3, 2011 | Reply
Hi Paula
Sorry it’s been so long but I had no idea how to get hold of you.
I hope you remember me I was a good friend of Simons when he lived at Addington but lost contact when I sadly split from Sue (Julie’s friend)
I came to New Zealand and you very kindly took time off to show me around your lovely country.
I was shocked and so saddened to hear about Simon and I still miss him and his great sense of fun for sure.
Hope to hear from you
Fond Regards Simon
Andrea Ridley | Feb 18, 2012 | Reply
Hi Simon, Firstly I am Simon’s eldest sister Andrea. I think you were the young man who brought the slot car set home for my three sons, Ryan, Cameron and Hamish and set it up at Mum and Dad’s one Christmas. I don’t know if Paula will have looked at this site. I am living in Central NSW, Australia and was bored today and happened to put Simon’s name into Google. After all this time, here was an up to date message to Paula from you. I would love you to get in touch with me and I could send you some photos of Ollie. He is very like Simon and my brother Gerard’s twins, who were born 2 years after Ollie. We keep in touch with Mel and Ollie, but hardly a day goes by that I don’t think of him. The saddness as his wee boy grows older and his dad not there to see what a splendid young man he is. But one day he will want to know all about Simon and would be great if you are still in contact when this time comes. Oliver Simon Parris-McGill will be 5 on 22 October and hard to believe it is Simon’s 5th anniversary this year.
Kind regards Andrea McGill-Ridley