|
Published: June 30, 2008 10:45 am
Helicopter collision in northern Arizona kills 6
AMANDA LEE MYERS and CHRIS KAHN
Associated Press
FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. —
A helicopter ferrying a patient with a medical emergency from the Grand Canyon collided into another chopper carrying a patient near a northern Arizona hospital, leaving six people dead and critically injuring a nurse.
The collision Sunday east of Flagstaff Medical Center was a few hundred yards away from a neighborhood that was spared the falling debris. Officials said they were unable to provide an account of what preceded the crash.
Lawrence Garduno, who lives about a half mile from the crash, said he heard a loud boom that rattled the windows. He drove toward the hospital and stopped to see the burning wreckage. "It kind of scares me," Garduno said. "If this had happened a half mile closer, it could have fallen on our house."
An explosion on one of the aircraft after the crash injured two emergency workers who arrived with a ground ambulance company. They suffered minor burns and were spending the night at the hospital, but their injuries were not life-threatening. The crash, about 130 miles north of Phoenix, also sparked a 10-acre brush fire that was contained.
One of the helicopters was operated by Air Methods from Englewood, Colo., and the other was from Classic Helicopters of Woods Cross, Utah. Both aircraft were Bell 407 models, said Ian Gregor, a spokesman with the Federal Aviation Administration.
Three people on the Air Methods aircraft, including the patient, died. On the Classic helicopter, the pilot, paramedic and patient all died. A flight nurse on the Classic helicopter suffered extensive injuries and was in critical condition at the hospital.
Matt Stein, a program director and lead pilot with Classic Helicopters subsidiary Classic Lifeguard Aeromedical Services in Page, Ariz., said his company's crew was landing at Flagstaff Medical Center carrying a patient with a medical emergency from the Grand Canyon's South Rim.
"We've been in business 20 years, and these are the first fatalities we've experienced," Stein said. "They were all heroes. They were out doing a great service for their communities."
Stein didn't tell The Associated Press the names of the crash victims, except to say that the pilot for Classic was experienced with more than 10,000 hours of flight time. He added that it's rare for two medical helicopters to attempt to land at a hospital at the same time.
Flagstaff Medical Center doesn't have flight controllers, he said, and it's up to the pilots to watch each other as they approach.
Air Methods officials didn't return calls from the AP on Sunday night.
The helicopters spread debris across the scene. "They're not recognizable as helicopters," said Capt. Mark Johnson, a spokesman for the Flagstaff Fire Department.
The FAA is sending inspectors to investigate.
Hospital officials declined requests to interview the hospital president and the two burn victims.
It was the largest loss of life involving helicopters in Arizona since two news helicopters collided last summer while covering an auto chase near Phoenix, killing all four people on board.
Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.
• Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
LPN WANTED
LPN position available at J.J. Jordan Geriatric Center Full-time; 12 hour shifts. Please contact Willa Cook, DON @ (606...>MORE
SECURITY OFFICERS - EMT
Ohio Certification Reqd Security America Interviews 7-9-09, 10a-3p Ironton Workforce 120 North Third St...>MORE
UTILITY WORKER
THE CITY OF WURTLAND is accepting applications for a Utility Worker for all City departments. Applicant must be a h...>MORE
See all ads |
| Premium Cars, RVs and Boats |
MOTORCYCLE FOR SALE
HONDA GOLDWING- 98, black, 39k, new tires, $6500. (740)533-1564....>MORE
MOTORCYCLE FOR SALE
VSTAR CLASSIC 1100- 07, 2800 mi, extras, like new $6300. 606-473-4923....>MORE
CHEVY COLORADO
2005 4x4 crew cab, 17k, x-cond., 606-324-8765; 571-6566. ...>MORE
See all ads |
|
HOME FOR SALE
OLD FARM ESTS- 3BR, 2BA ranch, ch/a, $118,000. (606)922-0693...>MORE
FLATWOODS 2BR COTTAGE
FW- 1409 Clark St. 2BR cottage, HW fls., 2 bonus rms. $55k. 740-886-8742...>MORE
OHIO RIVER HOME FOR SALE
Beautiful 4K ft. home on KY side of OH River, 4-5 BR, 3+ BA, acre lot, $329k. Consider partial trade. 606-922-6402, 473-...>MORE
See all ads |
|
HORSE FOR SALE
GAITED GELDING- tri color, 10 yrs, kid safe, $1,000. (606)831-4534....>MORE
LAB PUPS
AKC, black, choc. 6 wks, wormed, 1st shots $300 740-532-2174...>MORE
Patriot Tandem Trailer
TANDEM TRAILER- 07 6x12, pointed front, $2500 obo. 836-6191....>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|