Video of the recovery operation accessible from
http://rhone-alpes-auvergne.france3....8231167-fr.php
(see half way down the page)
Quotes all three dead as being Americans, resident in London, with one being a university doctor, a Simon Averboush - although the commentator has such a heavy accent the surname is difficult to distinguish.
I think one of the interesting points is did the P1 choose the direct routing because a mild dogleg to the right away from the mountains was precluded by even worse weather?
Does anyone know what version of the PA34 it was? Because a Seneca III, IV or V would presumably have given him a much better performance cushion in climbing away from any ice or granite.
Skua