Two killed after rescue helicopter crashes into Florida condominium complicated | World News

Two killed after rescue helicopter crashes into Florida condominium complicated | World News [ad_1]

A medical rescue helicopter caught fireplace and broke aside shortly after takeoff Monday earlier than crashing into an condominium complicated close to Fort Lauderdale, killing a paramedic captain on board and a resident on the bottom, authorities mentioned. Two others on board and two different folks on the condominium complicated have been injured.

First responders work the scene after a Broward Sheriff's Workplace Hearth-Rescue helicopter crashed in Pompano Seashore close to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Monday.(by way of AP)

Broward County Hearth-Rescue Capt. Terryson Jackson, 49, and a lady died when the Broward Sheriff's Workplace helicopter crashed via the complicated's roof after taking off from Pompano Seashore Airpark at about 8:45 a.m., Sheriff Gregory Tony mentioned. He mentioned the 4 injured have been taken to the hospital and are anticipated to outlive.

Jackson was a 19-year veteran of the division.

“Terryson was a rock star, he was probably the greatest of us,” mentioned Tony, who additionally oversees the county's fireplace division. “He bled this career in and out all day lengthy.”

The injured firefighters are pilot Daron Roche, 37, and Mike Chaguaceda, 31.

The useless girl's identify was not launched as her household was being notified, Tony mentioned.

The three-member crew was heading to an emergency medical rescue to take the affected person to the hospital. A video posted on-line exhibits flames coming from the midsection of the helicopter as it's trailed by an extended plume of smoke. The helicopter then seems to interrupt in half because it begins to spiral, plunging to the bottom. A video from one other angle confirmed that the helicopter's blades weren't turning quickly.

Tony mentioned that even because the crew members have been declaring a mayday to the airport's management tower and making an attempt to avoid wasting their helicopter, they have been additionally radioing paramedics on the medical emergency to allow them to know they must take the affected person to the hospital.

“We're speaking in regards to the character of those males,” Tony mentioned. “As they have been combating for his or her lives, they have been fascinated with someone else.”

Witness Brian Piggott instructed the South Florida Solar Sentinel that the helicopter started trailing smoke as quickly because it took off. It then misplaced altitude and crashed.

Victoria Walczak, who was contained in the condominium constructing, mentioned the crash was louder than thunder.

“I believed a bomb went off,” she instructed the newspaper.

The Nationwide Transportation Security Board is investigating the crash.

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