Three people lost their lives on Sunday in a tragic collision involving two helicopters that were responding to wildfires in Southern California. The incident occurred near the intersection of Broadway Street and South Ronda Avenue in the community of Carbazon, Riverside County. The fire initially began as a structure fire but quickly spread to vegetation.
According to fire chief David Fulcher, one of the helicopters managed to land safely, but the other one crashed, resulting in the unfortunate loss of all three crew members onboard. The victims have not been identified at this time.
The Riverside County Fire Department received the call about the fire at around 6pm local time on Sunday. By the time firefighters arrived at the scene, the blaze had already covered an area of approximately three hectares. However, they were able to stop the forward rate of spread within an hour.
Despite the tragic nature of the collision, Chief Fulcher expressed gratitude that the incident wasn’t more catastrophic. The occupants of the first helicopter were able to land safely without any injuries or further damage.
Now, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will investigate the crash to determine the cause and any contributing factors. Their findings will shed light on what led to this devastating accident involving the two helicopters.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the risks and dangers faced by emergency responders and wildfire crews who put their lives on the line to protect communities and fight against these destructive blazes. As investigations continue, it is essential to respect the process and await the official reports before drawing any conclusions.
Our thoughts and condolences go out to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives in this tragic collision. Their sacrifice will not be forgotten.
