Billionaire’s Death and the Rescue Delay | Anchorage News

A jury in Anchorage has awarded nearly $7.5 million to the family of Czech billionaire Petr Kellner, who died after surviving a 2021 heli-skiing crash near the Knik Glacier. The crash killed the pilot, two guides, and another client, but Kellner’s delayed rescue — blamed on the lodge’s failure to activate emergency protocols or secure backup helicopters — ultimately led to his death. While the lodge was found negligent, the helicopter operator, Soloy, was dismissed from the suit after a prior settlement. The verdict — over $6 million for economic losses and $1 million for pain and suffering — brings closure to the family and underscores the critical need for swift emergency response in remote, high-risk adventures. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/43aa2d3a83e3c85c