Helicopter fighting California brush fire crashes after mid

Submit

Δ

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission.

Two firefighting helicopters working to extinguish a brush fire in California collided mid-air Sunday, killing all three onboard one of them that crashed, according to officials.

One of the helicopters manage to land safely after the crash at the scene of a fire on 20 acres of Native American land in Cabazon, Cal Fire Southern Region Chief David Fulcher said at a press conference early Monday.

“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,” Fulcher said, without further identifying the victims.

The crash caused an additional 4-acre fire, which was extinguished, officials said.

“Although this was a tragic event, we are also thankful today that it wasn’t worse,” Fulcher said.

“The individuals in the first helicopter were able to able to land safely without incident and no one else was hurt.”

The crash happened just south of Morongo Casino in Riverside County, CBS Los Angeles reported.

The helicopter pilot was performing work under contract with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, fire captain Richard Cordova said Sunday evening.

“I would like to express our deepest sympathies and sorrow to the family and coworkers of the personnel,” Fulcher said. “This was a tragic loss for the fire service community and Cal Fire and Riverside County Fire Department.”

A witness told Fox 11 they saw the helicopter hit another aircraft before the crash.

The cause of the crash is under investigation, the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office said.

Further updates would come from the National Transportation Safety Board, the sheriff’s office said.