Three people lost their lives on Sunday when two helicopters, dispatched to assist in controlling a California wildfire, collided mid-air, resulting in one of them crashing to the ground.
The incident occurred in Cabazon, a community in Southern California, where firefighters were battling a blaze that had spread into vegetation. The severity of the situation called for a “full wildland fire dispatch,” which involved both fixed-wing and rotary aircraft, according to CalFire Southern Region Chief David Fulcher during a news conference.
Both CalFire and the Riverside County Fire Department were actively responding to the emergency. Unfortunately, while engaged in firefighting operations, the two helicopters collided, as revealed by Fulcher.
While the first helicopter managed to land safely in close proximity, the second one crashed, resulting in the tragic loss of all three individuals onboard. The victims were identified as a CalFire division chief, a CalFire captain, and a contracted pilot.
The collision not only claimed lives but also triggered an additional four-acre fire. Fortunately, the firefighters were able to contain and extinguish this secondary blaze.
“This was a tragic loss for the community, the fire service committee, and CalFire Riverside County Fire Department,” expressed Fulcher in a somber acknowledgment of the devastating event. The cause of the collision remains under investigation, and the National Transportation Safety Board has taken charge of the inquiry.
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In response to the tragedy, the office of California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter, declaring its close coordination with CalFire following the helicopter crash.
