Cal Fire officials say two helicopters responding to a vegetation fire in Riverside County Sunday night collided in midair, killing three people aboard one of the aircraft.
In a media briefing, Southern Region Chief David Fulcher said a Cal Fire division chief, a Cal Fire captain, and a contract pilot were killed after the helicopter they were in crashed following the collision.
Fulcher said the other helicopter involved was able to land safely. No one on the ground was injured in the incident.
Cal Fire and Riverside County Fire Department resources were dispatched to a reported structure fire near the intersection of Broadway Street and South Ronda Avenue in the community of Cabazon.
Shortly after the arrival of the first engine company, the fire was reported to have extended into the vegetation and a full wildland fire dispatch was initiated, which included fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft.
While battling the blaze, the two helicopters collided. The crash caused an additional 4-acre fire, which was extinguished.
“This was a tragic loss for the community, the fire services community, Cal Fire, and the Riverside Fire Department … We have lost three great individuals. Three fathers, three husbands, three friends, three sons …,” said Fulcher.
(Photo reporting partner ABC 10News)