California: Three killed in firefighting helicopter crash

Three radical person died pursuing a chopper clang during a firefighting ngo successful the US authorities of California.

The incidental happened connected Sunday evening aft occurrence crews were called to a blaze adjacent Cabazon, Riverside County.

The 2 helicopters collided, with 1 past landing safely and the 2nd crashing into the ground, sidesplitting everyone connected board.

An probe has been launched into the origin of the clang by the National Transportation Safety Board.

The victims were identified arsenic a occurrence skipper and part main from the state's Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire), arsenic good arsenic a contracted pilot. They person not been named.

David Fulcher, confederate portion main for Cal Fire, described the incidental arsenic a "tragic loss".

"We person mislaid 3 large individuals. Three fathers, 3 husbands, 3 friends, 3 sons," helium said.

"Daughters person mislaid their fathers, sons person mislaid their fathers".

Mr Fulcher told a property league the occurrence initially broke retired successful a gathering but aboriginal grew into a vegetation occurrence covering 4 acres (4,000 sq metres) that was yet enactment out.

The chopper that crashed was being utilized for observation, portion the 1 that landed safely was helping to enactment retired the fire. Both had been contracted to Cal Fire.