THREE people have died after a helicopter crashed into the grounds of a medieval castle in Italy – including the heir to a salami fortune and both pilots.

Poor visibility due to dense fog and darkness could have played a role in the accident, according to Italian media.

CEO of the Rovagnati cured meats empire, Lorenzo Rovagnati, 42, died in the horror incident, alongside two professional pilots who have been named in Italian media as Flavio Massa, 59, and Leonardo Italiani, 30.

The chopper plunged into the grounds of Castelguelfo di Noceto – which is owned by the Rovagnati family – on Wednesday evening just a few miles west of Parma in northern Italy.

Rovagnati is renowned for its Gran Biscotto cooked prosciutto, but it also makes salamis, mortadellas along with other processed meats.

Lorenzo was married and a father of two children with a third on the way, Corriere Di Bologna reports.

The late heir ran the salami company with his brother Ferrucio.

Unconfirmed reports claim one of the helicopter pilots tried to take off shortly before the crash happened.

The chopper is said to have been an AugustaWestland A109.

Officials from the Parma public prosecutor’s office have seized the flight recorder and are determining whether the crash could have occurred to technical or human error.

An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the crash.

Shocking footage taken from the tragic crash site shows emergency workers close to the remnants of the chopper as they carry out an investigation on the area.

Thick fog was also seen covering the grounds of the gargantuan castle estate.