Petr Kellner, the Czech Republic’s richest man, was one of five people killed when their helicopter crashed on a skiing trip in Alaska, writes The Guardian.

The 56-year-old was among the passengers and pilot killed on Saturday in the crash near Knik glacier north-east of Anchorage, Alaska state troopers said. One survivor was taken to hospital, they said, adding the group had been on a heliski tour.

Kellner avoided public attention but was known to be a keen skier. A picture of him snowboarding was published in an annual report of his investment group, PPF.

In a statement the company expressed “deepest grief” at the death of its founder. He is survived by his wife, Renata, and four children.