Two of the dead were parents of a young daughter who was nearby

The Alouette 2 helicopter crashed at the Chez Bob restaurant on a road between Salin-de-Giraud and Arles, in the Camargue region.

Two of the dead were decapitated while the injured woman had her leg severed, rescuers said.

The four people on board the helicopter were unhurt.

In shock

Police sources told Reuters news agency the helicopter was carrying guests who had been at a lunch at the restaurant.

Their dining companions had walked up the garden to bid them farewell when the helicopter came down, the sources said.

Two of the dead were parents. Their five-year-old daughter was at the scene but was unhurt.

A witness told AFP news agency: "The pilot is very shocked. He explained that the helicopter seemed to fail and he was unable to steady it."