Air rescue helicopter crashes into apartment building in Florida

Incredible moment helicopter crew crawl to safety from roof of blazing apartment block after their air rescue chopper fell out of sky due to ‘engine failure’: One dead, four hospitalized

• Three people were on board the EC135 helicopter when it crashed at 8.45am
• A probe has been launched by the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board
• Four people have been taken to hospital, and one has died after the collision

One person has died and four hospitalized after a fire and rescue helicopter crashed into a home in Florida after suffering from an ‘engine failure’. 

Incredible footage shows the moment that two of the three crewmembers on board the helicopter crawled to safety on the roof of an apartment complex in Pompano Beach. 

Two men wearing air gear can be seen crawling away from the flames on the roof of the building, before being rescued by authorities and climbing down on a ladder. 

One could be seen holding his chest, with witnesses claiming they heard them say their ‘rib was broken’.  

Both men amazingly walk away from the scene, apparently unscathed. Officials said the helicopter was on route to an emergency in North Lauderdale when it suffered difficulties.  

Authorities confirmed that a third person on board the Broward Sheriff’s Office chopper died during the collision at around 8.45am on Monday. 

Incredible footage shows the moment that two of the three people on board the helicopter crawled to safety on the roof of an apartment complex in Pompano Beach

https://youtube.com/watch?v=k2NqT7erRNA%3Frel%3D0

Both men amazingly walk away from the scene, apparently unscathed. Officials said the helicopter was on route to an emergency in North Lauderdale when it suffered difficulties

Two men wearing air gear can be seen crawling away from the flames on the roof of the building, before being rescued by authorities and climbing down on a ladder

Footage shows the helicopter smoking and weaving in the air before ultimately spinning and breaking apart after suffering from some kind of ‘engine failure’. 

Veda Coleman-Wright,a spokesperson for the sheriff’s office, confirmed that four people were rushed to hospital following the collision, adding that they were all in ‘fair condition’.

Two residents who live in the apartment building, which saw the chopper smash through the roof, were also taken to hospital after trying to get those on board out. 

Relatives say that the two were alone inside the property before the collision, with their sister telling Local 10 News: ‘I’m trying to find out what’s happening with my brothers. 

‘They’re at the hospital and I just got a phone call from my son and I don’t know what’s going on.

‘It’s hard. Our family has been through a lot. We just lost our mom in October and my little brother just the year before, so for this to be happening right now, it feels like something on our family. 

‘I’m just gonna pray with my family and my siblings so that we can pull through and make the best out of this.’ 

Initial reports from law enforcement scanners claimed that the chopper suffered from a ‘maintenance issue’ when it nosedived into a building.

The Broward Sheriff’s Office chopper can be seen smoking and weaving in the air before ultimately spinning and breaking apart.

Aerial footage show the gaping hole caused by the burning helicopter falling from the sky into an apartment complex

Four people have been rushed to hospital following the collision, with authorities confirming that two of the three people on the helicopter did not suffer critical injuries

Authorities have not confirmed if anyone died during the crash, with local reports saying they heard a ‘huge sound’ just before the collision. Two brothers were alone inside the property before the collision

Law enforcement confirmed that Pompano Beach Fire and Rescue transported two people to a local hospital. 

Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue officials confirmed that one of those recovered from the scene was rushed to Broward Health Medical Center.

Dixie Highway is currently shut down between Northeast Fifth Street and Northeast 10th Street, and drivers have been asked to shut down the area. 

In a statement they said: ‘At approximately 8:46 am, emergency personnel responded to a call of an aircraft alert located southwest of the Pompano Beach Airpark. 

‘The helicopter involved in the crash is a BSO Fire Rescue helicopter. Pompano Beach Fire Rescue transported two people to an area hospital.

‘Motorists are advised to avoid the area of North Dixie Highway and Atlantic Boulevard in Pompano Beach as Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies and Pompano Beach Fire Rescue respond to a helicopter crash. 

‘Dixie Highway is shutdown between Northeast Fifth Street and Northeast 10th Street.’

Dozens of fire engines and emergency services can be seen battling the fire caused by the collision. 

The FAA confirmed that three people had been on board the helicopter at the time of the crash. 

Dozens of fire engines and emergency services can be seen battling the fire caused by the collision

The helicopter involved in the crash is a BSO Fire Rescue helicopter. Pompano Beach Fire Rescue transported two people to an area hospital

The FAA confirmed that three people had been on board the helicopter at the time of the crash

Black plumes of smoke covered the sky as the blaze took hold of the apartment as firefighters battled against it 

A spokesman confirmed that the FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the cause of the crash. 

The state-of-the art helicopters are staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, by teams of two firefighters or paramedics with a Pilot-EMT flying the aircraft.

Flight medics utilize state-of-the-art video laryngoscopes to provide the most advanced airway management skills.

The unit is also able to administer whole blood for critically injured trauma patients and can transport two patients from the scene of an incident.

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