Swiss Air Memorial
Remembering all who lost their lives.
Swiss Air Memorial – Remembering the Congresbury Victims
On 10th April 1973, twenty villagers from Congresbury set off from Bristol’s Lulsgate Airport on what was meant to be an exciting trip to Basel, Switzerland. Tragically, in heavy snow, the Vickers Vanguard aircraft, operated by Invicta International Airlines, struck the hillside 300 metres south of Herrenmatt hamlet, Hochwald, Switzerland. Of the 145 people on board, only 37 survived.
All 20 passengers from Congresbury lost their lives, including five members of one family, and the disaster touched nearly every local business and household in the village.
Early Memorial – 40th Anniversary
On the 40th anniversary, a small memorial plaque and three wooden seats were installed within St Andrew’s Churchyard to honour the Congresbury villagers who were lost. This quiet space offered a place for families and friends to gather, remember, and reflect.
Original Plaque, St Andrew’s Churchyard, Congresbury
50th Anniversary Memorial Project
To mark the 50th anniversary, a crowdfunder project was launched with the following goals:
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Replace the benches
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Install a larger plaque including the names of all Congresbury victims
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Create a rose garden as a lasting, living tribute
A 50th Anniversary Service of Thanksgiving was held in Congresbury and is available to view [here]. This was followed by the dedication of the new Memorial Rose Garden, also available to view [here].
Service of Thanksgiving – 50th Anniversary of the Swiss Air Disaster
Dedication of the Memorial Rose Garden – 50th Anniversary
Commemoration in Switzerland
A service was also held in Basel, Switzerland, to honour the 50th anniversary of the disaster. We have included photographs from this event below to share the international remembrance.
Remembering All Victims
In Basel, 108 candles were lit in the shape of a heart—one for each victim of the disaster.
In Congresbury, we also lit candles to remember those lost from our village, creating a moment of reflection and unity.
Learn More
Further details about the disaster, the victims, and the survivors can be found at the dedicated website: swissairdisaster.uk
