Passengers Rescued with Minor Injuries

















  


  

LEFT:  A helicopter crashed in the snow-covered Mount Baldy area on Thursday, Dec. 29, 2016. Three people were injured, officials said. (PHOTO Credit KABC) 

      RIGHT:  San Bernardino County Fire Paraglider (PHOTO Credit ROTW News)

 

 

Reprint from DAILY PRESS

UPDATE: Helicopter crash in Mt. Baldy leaves 3 injured

Posted Thursday Dec 29, 2016 at 3:21 PM Updated Dec 29, 2016 at 7:16 PM

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By Paola Baker Staff Writer 







MOUNT BALDY - Authorities said 3 people were injured following a helicopter crash near Mount Baldy summit early Thursday.

San Bernardino County Fire Department personnel responded to reports of a helicopter crash west of Mount Baldy summit just before noon Thursday. The aircraft was carrying 4 passengers and hikers at the site reported that all 4 were awake and talking, according to County Fire officials.

Federal Aviation Administration spokesman Ian Gregor said the aircraft was a Robinson R-44 helicopter with a tail number of N324RS that made a hard landing on Mount Baldy "for unknown reasons." The helicopter's tail boom was significantly damaged from the crash.

The site of the crash was 1000 feet below the summit and was inaccessible to ground units, prompting a response from County Fire's Air Rescue 07 helicopter. They arrived a few minutes after noon, officials said, and all passengers were out of the aircraft.

The rescue team made contact with the passengers at 12:16 p.m. and all passengers were loaded into Air Rescue 07 for transport. They were removed from the crash site by 12:49 p.m, officials said.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department officials said the three injured parties suffered minor injuries and were taken to a local hospital for treatment. One person refused medical treatment, officials said. No other injuries were reported.

The FAA and Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Aero Bureau are continuing to investigate the crash.

Anyone with information about this incident is encouraged to contact the Aero Bureau at 562-421-2701. Callers wishing to remain anonymous can call "Crime Stoppers" at 800-222-8477 or online at http://lacrimestoppers.org.

Paola Baker may be reached at 760-955-5332 or PBaker@VVDailyPress.com. Follow her on Twitter at @DP_PaolaBaker.