SEPT 2023. Blues Vol 39 No. 9

42 The BLUES

42 The BLUES ‘mayday’ and putting out the distress within two minutes, and throughout that time they still had the foresight to notify the local fire department that we weren’t going to be able to land and that they needed to be able to get there and rescue these people. So, we’re talking about the character of these men and women -- or these men in this case, on this aviation unit -- as they were fighting for their life, they were worried about someone else’s.” The Federal Aviation Administration confirmed that three people were on-board the Eurocopter EC135 helicopter that “crashed into a structure.” Sky 10 was above the scene just after 10 a.m. as an apartment building in the area had a large, gaping hole in the roof with burned debris visible. Video posted to Facebook shows smoke coming from the helicopter before it starts going around in circles and then crashes to the ground. Pompano Beach spokeswoman Sandra King said two crew members and two civilians who were inside the apartment building, helped the victims out of the chopper and were all hospitalized after the crash. BSO spokeswoman Veda Coleman-Wright later confirmed that all four were taken to Broward Health North and are listed in fair condition. “They jumped?” a witness is heard saying in the video. “These (expletive) saved their life.” The sheriff, however, said the crew members did not jump from the chopper, but miraculously survived after crawling out. Another closer up video shows the two men coming down from the roof after first responders and witnesses placed a ladder against the building. Local 10 News reporter Samiar Nefzi spoke with the father and sister of the two civilians who were injured. They said the brothers were alone inside their apartment when the crash occurred. “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,” the victims’ sister said. Another resident at the apartment building said he was inside his home when he heard a loud sound. “When I was inside, there was a ‘pop, pop, pop, pop.’ There was fire (inaudible) everywhere,” he said. Dixie Highway was shut down between Northeast Fifth Street and Northeast 10th Street after the crash. Drivers are asked to avoid the area. The FAA confirmed that it will investigate the cause of the collision, along with the NTSB, which will be in charge of the investigation.

The BLUES 43