A promotional crash helmet that completely obscured a waitress's vision is at the centre of the investigation into a devastating New Year's fire at a Swiss ski resort bar that claimed 40 lives, a witness has claimed.
The Fatal Champagne Stunt
According to an official Swiss report, 24-year-old waitress Cyane Panine was instructed by bar manager Jessica Moretti, 40, to wear a Dom Perignon-branded 'motorcycle crash helmet' with a black visor. The helmet was part of a champagne promotion stunt at Le Constellation bar in Crans-Montana. With her field of vision severely restricted, Cyane was then lifted onto the shoulders of in-house DJ Mateo Lesguer, 23, who was wearing a carnival mask.
Cyane could hardly see anything as she carried champagne bottles plugged with lit sparklers. The official report states the sparklers are believed to have ignited soundproofing foam in the basement ceiling. This triggered a fast-moving fire that killed 40 people and left 116 others with horrific burns. Both Cyane Panine and Mateo Lesguer tragically died in the inferno.
Manager Under Investigation as Family Disputes 'Family' Claims
Bar manager Jessica Moretti is now under formal investigation for multiple alleged crimes, including 'manslaughter by negligence'. She is currently on bail, wearing an electronic tag, and has had her passport confiscated. Moretti has confirmed the battery-powered helmet, which flashed colours, was a stunt designed to sell champagne, stating such helmets were 'delivered by our champagne supplier'.
However, the lawyer for Cyane's family, Sophie Haenni, strongly contests the Morettis' portrayal of a close relationship. Haenni claims Cyane had contacted a workers' protection service over her employment conditions and was denied basic documents like an employment contract and a decent wage. Messages showed they addressed each other formally, and Cyane had complained of 'orders' and her physical and emotional exhaustion shortly before her death.
'The image the Moretti family is trying to project contradicts certain elements of the case,' said Ms Haenni, adding the family was hurt by Moretti's court apology, which they felt did not reflect her behaviour on the night.
Compounding Factors and Ongoing Case
Investigators have revealed further factors that increased the death toll. 34 of the 40 victims died on a stairwell that had been narrowed by a third during 2015 renovations carried out by Jessica Moretti's husband, Jacques. Cyane's parents have also alleged an emergency exit was locked to prevent people avoiding table charges, which were around £900 each.
Video footage is said to show Jessica Moretti fleeing the scene quickly with the night's cash takings. She is facing trial alongside her 49-year-old husband, an ex-pimp with previous convictions, who is in pre-trial detention. Both are considered a flight risk, though Ms Moretti is allowed home to care for their two children under strict conditions.
The investigation into one of Switzerland's worst modern fire tragedies continues.
