Trije mrtvi v grozljivi dvojni helikopterski nesreči, vključno z dvema Američanoma in britanskim študentom

Three people died after two helicopters collided in mid-air over Oregon on Thursday afternoon. The accident occurred just before 2:15 p.m. local time near McMinnville Municipal Airport. Authorities identified the victims as 22-year-old flight instructor Maddie Aasbo of Texas, 38-year-old Tyler Sturdevant of Oregon, and an unnamed British student pilot. The collision involved a 1995 Robinson R22 and a 2018 Airbus AS350 B3. Both aircraft crashed into a privately owned farm field located at the intersection of Southeast Highway 154 and Stringtown Road. Yamhill County Sheriff Sam Elliot confirmed the fatalities during an evening press conference. When emergency crews arrived at the scene, they found the two occupants of the Robinson helicopter and the pilot of the Airbus helicopter deceased. Photos taken from the crash site depicted a red helicopter shattered in the center of the field, with a smaller white helicopter twisted nearby. One witness stated he was standing on the roof of a nearby barn when he observed the planes strike each other and impact the ground just outside the airport perimeter. He immediately contacted 911 following the visual confirmation of the crash. Jerry Trimble Helicopters, an aviation school based in McMinnville, issued a statement confirming that one of its aircraft was involved in the incident. The company expressed condolences to the families of the victims and thanked local emergency services for their rapid response. The firm stated it is fully cooperating with local emergency management, law enforcement, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the National Transportation Security Board to secure the site and determine the cause of the incident. The school requested public patience and respect for the privacy of those involved while investigators gather verified information. The Federal Aviation Administration reported that the National Transportation Safety Board would lead the investigation into the crash. The NTSB has confirmed it is actively investigating the event. Following the accident, the Oregon Department of Transportation warned motorists that all lanes of Route 223 were closed one mile west of Dayton. Officials noted the closure could be extended and advised drivers to use alternate routes. A source within the McMinnville Fire District indicated that all available crews rushed to the scene upon receiving the alert. McMinnville is situated approximately 35 miles southwest of Portland. The specific circumstances leading to the mid-air collision remain under review by federal and local authorities. The sheriff’s office extended its official condolences to the families and friends of Ms. Aasbo and Mr. Sturdevant. Emergency responders from multiple agencies converged on the rural area to manage the aftermath of the dual-vehicle impact. The debris field remained active as investigators worked to preserve evidence for the ongoing inquiry into the mechanical and operational factors of the crash. Local traffic patterns around the airport corridor were disrupted due to the road closures implemented for safety and investigative purposes. The identities of the victims were released by county officials, with the British student’s name withheld pending family notification.