3 people were killed fighting a California wildfire after two helicopters collided

Three individuals were killed in a helicopter collision while combating a wildfire in California.

Incident details: On Sunday afternoon, a Bell 407 helicopter and a Sikorsky S-64E helicopter, dispatched by Cal Fire, collided while fighting a wildfire in Cabazon, California.
* The two individuals aboard the Sikorsky were unharmed and managed a safe landing, while all three passengers aboard the Bell were killed.
* The crash subsequently sparked an additional four-acre fire, which has since been extinguished.

Victims identified: Cal Fire Southern Region Chief David Fulcher identified the casualties as Cal Fire Assistant Chief Josh Bischof, Cal Fire Fire Captain Tim Rodriguez and contract pilot Tony Sousa.
* Fulcher expressed deep sympathy and sorrow for the loss, describing it as “a tragic loss for the fire service community and Cal Fire and the Riverside County Fire Department.”

Investigation underway: The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has stated that investigators are expected to examine the damaged aircraft and take in account factors such as radar data, weather information, maintenance records, and the pilot’s medical records.
* The arrival of NTSB investigators at the scene is anticipated for Monday afternoon.

View original article on NPR

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