Billionaire Lam Kok feared dead after French vineyard sale Published duration 21 December 2013

image caption James Gregoire and Lam Kok (pictured here with their wives) had just celebrated the sale of the chateau when they took the helicopter tour

A Chinese billionaire is feared dead in a helicopter crash that happened as he was surveying his newly-purchased vineyard in south-west France.

The helicopter, carrying Lam Kok, his 12-year-old son, the chateau's ex-owner James Gregoire and an interpreter, came down in the river Dordogne.

Police have found the wreckage but have not yet been able to locate all of the missing passengers.

The sale of the Bordeaux vineyard had received much local publicity.

It was believed to be the biggest investment yet by a Chinese businessman in the Bordeaux wine region.

Strong current

There had been celebrations at the 16th Century Chateau de la Riviere estate on Friday when its sale for an undisclosed sum to Lam Kok was confirmed.

image caption Police divers have been searching the river Dordogne for the missing passengers

The 46-year-old Hong Kong-based tycoon, who specialises in fine teas, had plans to turn the 160-acre estate into a tea and wine tasting centre.

After the introductions and a news conference, the former owner James Gregoire offered to give Lam Kok an aerial tour of the estate by helicopter.

An AFP photographer at the event said Mr Kok's wife pulled out at the last moment, saying she was "scared of helicopters".

Mr Gregoire flew the helicopter; a short time later locals reported seeing it crash into the river.

The search for the bodies has been complicated by a strong current, the BBC's Hugh Schofield reports from Paris.

The Chinese embassy in Paris is sending consular officials to the scene.

China has recently become the largest export destination for Bordeaux wines.