In a devastating incident during a firefighting mission, three lives were tragically lost following a helicopter collision in California.
The unfortunate crash occurred on Sunday evening when fire crews were responding to a blaze near Cabazon in Riverside County.
According to reports, two helicopters collided while combating the wildfire. One helicopter managed to land safely, but the other tragically crashed into the ground, resulting in the loss of all passengers on board.
The victims included a fire captain and division chief from California's Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire), as well as a contracted pilot. At this time, their identities have not been disclosed.
In response to the incident, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation to determine the cause of the collision.
The firefighting team and the community are in mourning, grieving the loss of these dedicated individuals.
David Fulcher, the southern region chief for Cal Fire, expressed his sorrow and deep sympathy for the victims and their families during a press conference.
"We have lost three great individuals. Three fathers, three husbands, three friends, three sons," he said.
The tragedy has left families shattered, with daughters and sons left without their beloved fathers.
According to Mr. Fulcher, the fire initially broke out in a building and then spread to the surrounding vegetation, prompting the firefighting operation.
As a result of the crash, an additional four-acre fire erupted, adding to the already challenging situation.
However, the combined efforts of the firefighting teams eventually led to the successful extinguishing of all fires.
The helicopter involved in the crash was identified as a Bell helicopter, which was being used for observation purposes.
In contrast, the helicopter that landed safely was a Sikorsky Skycrane, known for its capabilities in carrying fire retardant or water.
Both helicopters were contracted to Cal Fire for firefighting operations.
This tragic incident marks the first deaths of the 2023 fire season, as recorded by Cal Fire data.