Current:Home > My3 killed after helicopters collide, one crashes while fighting fire in California-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
3 killed after helicopters collide, one crashes while fighting fire in California
View Date:2024-12-23 16:25:43
Three people died after two firefighting helicopters collided while battling a blaze in Southern California, officials said early Monday.
The helicopters were dispatched to fight a fire burning in the community of Cabazon, Cal Fire Southern Region Chief David Fulcher said during a news conference Monday. After the collision, one helicopter crashed, killing all three people on board and sparking another fire, Fulcher said.
“I would like to express our deepest sympathies and sorrow to the families and coworkers of the personnel,” he said. “This was a tragic loss for the community, the fire service community and CalFire and Riverside County Fire Department.”
What happened during the crash?
Resources from Cal Fire and the Riverside County Fire Department were sent to fight a structure fire in Cabazon Sunday evening, Fulcher said. Shortly after the first engine company arrived, he said the fire spread into the vegetation and "a full wildland fire dispatch was initiated."
The vegetation fire covered about 3 acres by around 6 p.m., officials said on social media.
The helicopters were among six aircraft that responded to the blaze. During the firefight, the helicopters collided, Fulcher said. One was able to land safely, but the other crashed.
The crash caused an additional 4-acre fire, which Fulcher said was extinguished. Just after 10 p.m. fire officials reported the "forward rate of spread" of the vegetation fire had been stopped.
Who were the victims?
The victims included a Cal Fire Division chief, a Cal Fire captain and a contract client pilot, Fulcher said. He did not further identify the victims.
Fire captain and spokesman Richard Cordova told the Associated Press the helicopter pilot was working under contract with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
Crash under investigation
Fulcher said the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash and his organization would provide more information later Monday.
Contributing: The Associated Press
veryGood! (2138)
Related
- It's cozy gaming season! Video game updates you may have missed, including Stardew Valley
- Little League World Series: Updates, highlights from Tuesday elimination games
- 'Major catastrophe': Watch as road collapses into giant sinkhole amid Northeast flooding
- Marlo Thomas thanks fans for 'beautiful messages' following death of husband Phil Donahue
- The charming Russian scene-stealers of 'Anora' are also real-life best friends
- TikTok unveils the songs of the summer, from 'Million Dollar Baby' to 'Not Like Us'
- TikTok unveils the songs of the summer, from 'Million Dollar Baby' to 'Not Like Us'
- Hoda Kotb Shares Dating Experience That Made Her Stop Being a “Fixer”
- The Daily Money: Markets react to Election 2024
- Why Princess Diaries' Heather Matarazzo Left Hollywood for Michigan
Ranking
- American arrested in death of another American at luxury hotel in Ireland
- Florence Welch joins Taylor Swift on stage in Wembley
- Nordstrom Rack Top 100 Deals: Score $148 Jeans for $40 & Save Up to 73% on Cotopaxi, Steve Madden & More
- Incumbents beat DeSantis-backed candidates in Florida school board race
- How Saturday Night Live Reacted to Donald Trump’s Win Over Kamala Harris
- 23 indicted in alleged schemes to smuggle drugs, phones into Georgia prisons with drones
- ESPN tabs Mike Greenberg as Sam Ponder's replacement for 'NFL Sunday Countdown' show
- Ex-politician due to testify in his trial in killing of Las Vegas investigative journalist
Recommendation
-
Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, Good Try (Freestyle)
-
'Beyond excited': Alex Cooper's 'Call Her Daddy' podcast inks major deal with SiriusXM
-
How do I take workplace criticism as constructive and not a personal attack? Ask HR
-
FAA sent 43 more cases of unruly airline passengers to the FBI for possible prosecution
-
Advance Auto Parts is closing hundreds of stores in an effort to turn its business around
-
Warner Bros. pledges massive Nevada expansion if lawmakers expand film tax credit
-
Don’t Miss These Free People Deals Under $50 - Snag Boho Chic Styles Starting at $19 & Save Up to 65%
-
It Ends With Us' Brandon Sklenar Slams Critics Vilifying the Women Behind the Film