Two firefighting helicopters collided in Southern California on Sunday while fighting a blaze in Riverside County, leaving three people dead, emergency officials announced on 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,” Cal Fire Southern Region Chief David Fulcher said.
Fulcher revealed that Cal Fire and Riverside County Fire Department resources were dispatched to a reported structure fire near the intersection of Broadway Street and South Ronda Avenue in the community of Cabazon.
Shortly after the arrival of the first engine firm, the fire extended into the vegetation and a full wildland fire dispatch was initiated, which included fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft.
The two helicopters collided while battling the blaze. The crash caused an additional 4-acre (1.6-hectare) fire, which was extinguished.
“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.”
