CABAZON, Calif. (AP) — Three individuals have been killed after two firefighting helicopters collided in Southern California on Sunday whereas preventing a blaze in Riverside County, emergency officers mentioned.
One of the helicopters landed safely. “Unfortunately, the second helicopter crashed and tragically all three members perished which included one Cal Fire Division chief, one Cal Fire captain and one contract client pilot,” Cal Fire Southern Region Chief David Fulcher mentioned throughout a information convention early Monday.
Fulcher didn’t establish the victims.
Cal Fire and Riverside County Fire Department assets have been dispatched to a reported construction fireplace close to the intersection of Broadway Street and South Ronda Avenue locally of Cabazon, Fulcher mentioned.
Shortly after the arrival of the primary engine firm, the fireplace was reported to have prolonged into the vegetation and a full wildland fireplace dispatch was initiated, which included fixed-wing and rotary-wing plane.
While battling the blaze, the 2 helicopters collided. The crash prompted an extra 4-acre (1.6-hectare) fireplace, which was extinguished.
“Although this was a tragic event, we are also thankful today that it wasn’t worse,” Fulcher mentioned. “The individuals in the first helicopter were able to able to land safely without incident and no one else was hurt.”
The helicopter pilot was performing work underneath contract with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, fireplace captain and spokesman Richard Cordova mentioned Sunday night.
The crash is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board.
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