In relation to a US plane crash in the Sierra Nevada and the rescue of survivors 57 years ago, there will be a hiking visit the crash site.

Over 500 people are expected to turn up at Jérez del Marquesado on the 2nd of September to walk the route taken by rescuers in adverse weather conditions to bring to safety the survivors of the USN plane crash.

The Councillor for Sports at érez del Marquesado said that the event, entitled El Avion, has two purposes; one as a hiking event and the other as to commemorate the selfless efforts of the villagers to bring the survivors out of the snow-covered mountains back on that fateful day in 1960.

The incident occurred when a USN DC-4, Skymaster carrying U.S. service members from Naval Support Activities Naples to Naval Station Rota, the aircraft collided with a Sierra Nevada peak and crashed at over 2,300m above sea-level on the edge of a cliff in the snow.

This is the eighth year that the 12-km, walking event has been arranged and each year it attracts more participants. The first year that the walk took place was 2010 to mark the 50th anniversary. On that occasion the American Ambassador and two surviving crew members were present at the ceremony.

The hike will set off from the Plaza del Molino de Jérez del Marquesado at 8:00h and walkers should reach the Caseta de los Mayordomos at 16:45h where there will be refreshments and a snack.

(News: Sierra Nevada, Granada, Spain)