A devastating helicopter crash occurred during a firefighting operation in the state of California, resulting in the loss of three lives. The incident unfolded on August 6 in the evening when fire crews were dispatched to combat a blaze near Cabazon, Riverside County, BBC reported.
Two helicopters were involved in a collision during the mission, leading to a fatal outcome. While one helicopter managed to land safely, the other tragically crashed into the ground, claiming the lives of all individuals on board. The victims included a fire captain and division chief from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire), along with a contracted pilot. The names of the victims have not been disclosed.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) promptly initiated an investigation into the crash to determine its cause and circumstances.
David Fulcher, the southern region chief for Cal Fire, expressed profound grief over the incident, emphasising the immense loss of three individuals. He somberly remarked,
"We have lost three great individuals. Three fathers, three husbands, three friends, three sons."
The impact of this tragedy resonated across families, as daughters and sons grappled with the profound absence of their fathers.
The fire initially ignited within a building and later extended to the surrounding vegetation, prompting a swift response from firefighting teams. The crash itself contributed to an additional four-acre fire, which was eventually brought under control.
The helicopter involved in the crash was identified as a Bell helicopter, employed for observation purposes. In contrast, the second helicopter, a Sikorsky Skycrane, successfully landed. The Skycrane is typically utilised for carrying fire retardant or water. Both helicopters had been contracted to Cal Fire for firefighting operations.
This tragic incident marks the first fatalities of the 2023 fire season, according to data from Cal Fire.
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