Two firefighting helicopters collide while fighting California fire, 3 dead
Riverside County firefighters stand alongside the wreckage of a helicopter
In a devastating incident that unfolded on Sunday (August 6), two firefighting helicopters collided while battling a blaze in Southern California's Riverside County, resulting in three deaths, as reported by the Associated Press.
As flames engulfed the landscape, one of the helicopters managed to execute a safe landing.
However, the second helicopter was not as fortunate, and tragically, all three occupants on board lost their lives.
Among the victims were a distinguished Cal Fire Division chief, a dedicated Cal Fire captain, and a contracted client pilot.
The sombreannouncement was made by Chief David Fulcher of Cal Fire Southern Region, who addressed the media in an early Monday press conference.
The blaze and the collision
The unfortunate incident unfolded as Cal Fire and Riverside County Fire Department resources responded to reports of a structure fire at the junction of Broadway Street and South Ronda Avenue in Cabazon.
Swift action was taken, and the first engine company swiftly arrived at the scene. However, the situation escalated rapidly, with the fire spreading into the surrounding vegetation.
This prompted the initiation of a full-scale wildland fire dispatch, involving both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft.
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Amidst their valiant efforts, disaster struck. The two helicopters, engaged in a coordinated response to quell the blaze, collided in mid-air. The impact of the collision led to an additional fire breakout, consuming an area of approximately 4 acres, or 1.6 hectares. The secondary fire was brought under control and extinguished.
The pilot of the helicopter that met with the fatal crash was carrying out contractual duties on behalf of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
In the aftermath of the tragedy, the National Transportation Safety Board has initiated an investigation into the collision.
(With inputs from agencies)
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