Three people aboard two helicopters died after the aircraft collided midair near an airport in northwest Oregon on Thursday afternoon, according to the Yamhill County sheriff.
The Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene near McMinnville Municipal Airport, along with local law enforcement, fire and medical responders. McMinnville is about 40 miles southwest of Portland.
One of the helicopters was carrying two people, a flight instructor from Texas and a student pilot from the United Kingdom, Yamhill County Sheriff Sam Elliott said during a news conference Thursday evening.
The pilot of the other helicopter, who was the sole occupant, has been identified as a man from Newberg, Oregon, the sheriff said.
The sheriff’s office asked the public to avoid the area and have “patience as we respond to this critical incident.”
The investigation into the crash, which took place around 2:15 p.m. local time, is being led by the National Transportation Safety Board, according to the FAA, which is also probing the incident.
One of the helicopters involved in the crash was operated by Jerry Trimble Helicopters, a helicopter flight training school and rental service for private flights, the company said in a statement.
“Jerry Trimble Helicopters is deeply saddened to confirm that one of our aircraft was involved in an aviation incident this afternoon,” the company said. “… Our hearts and thoughts are with the individuals involved, their families, and everyone affected by this event.”
The company added it is cooperating with authorities in the investigation.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
