A Huntington Seashore police helicopter “crash-landed” within the water in Newport Seashore on Saturday night and a rescue operation was launched, officers mentioned. One pilot died and one other was injured.
We are able to verify that our police helicopter, HB1, crash landed within the Newport Seashore space. Rescue efforts are underway & extra data might be launched when accessible.
— Huntington Seashore PD (@HBPoliceDept) February 20, 2022
There have been two pilots aboard the helicopter, mentioned Jennifer Carey, a spokesperson for the Huntington Seashore Police Division. One was initially reported as having reasonable accidents and the opposite severe accidents, Carey mentioned. Later, it was introduced a 14-year veteran officer had died. He was recognized as Nicholas Vella, 44. His co-pilot, a 16-year veteran, was in crucial situation, Huntington Seashore Police mentioned.
Vella is survived by his spouse and daughter, the police division mentioned.
There was no fast data on what might have brought on the crash, which occurred throughout calm wind situations and dry climate.
Police Chief Eric Parra mentioned the division’s helicopters can be grounded for inspections.
“We have to have the present plane inspected to ensure there’s nothing fallacious…we’re going to tug these in — they gained’t fly till we do the inspection,” Parra mentioned. The crash occurred throughout a name for service for a “disturbance struggle name” in Newport Seashore, Parra mentioned.
The Huntington Seashore Police Division Air Assist Unit serves that metropolis in addition to Newport Seashore and Costa Mesa beneath contracts with these cities.
“The town of Huntington Seashore, the residents of Huntington Seashore, the Huntington Seashore Police Division and the regulation enforcement group have misplaced an officer who was actually devoted to his job and was doing what he beloved doing,” Parra mentioned. “This can be a troublesome evening for all of us and I might ask in your prayers and help as we help our officers’ households.”
“This tragic accident serves as a reminder of the hazard and the chance law enforcement officials put themselves in every day to guard our group,” mentioned Huntington Seashore Mayor Barbara Delgleize.
The Nationwide Transportation Security Board and the Orange County Sheriff’s Division Main Accident Reconstruction Staff are investigating the crash.
The crash occurred close to the shore in an space between the Lido and Balboa peninsulas.
The crash occurred at 6:34 p.m., a Newport Seashore Hearth Division dispatcher informed Metropolis Information Service.
Orange County Sheriff’s Division Sgt. Ryan Anderson mentioned that company assisted, deploying sources to help with a rescue. The Newport Seashore Hearth Division and the Orange County Hearth Authority have been among the many businesses on scene.
#Breaking: A Huntington Seashore Police Division helicopter has crashed into the waters in Newport Seashore. Each pilots have been reportedly rescued and are being transported to a trauma heart for treament. https://t.co/hveistXlhB
— CBS Los Angeles (@CBSLA) February 20, 2022
BREAKING: @NewportBeachFD says they're on scene of a helicopter crash in #NewportBeach. The helicopter is believed to be a police helicopter. They're nonetheless engaged on rescuing a sufferer that continues to be trapped. @elianamoreno en route. @NBCLA
— Katherine Picazo (@PicazoKatherine) February 20, 2022
#Breaking helicopter crash in #NewportBeach Search boats within the water #NBCLApic.twitter.com/oaXbVzDqd7
— AlexVnews (@alexvnews) February 20, 2022
CBS LA posted video of an officer being pulled from the water.
“We had individuals there instantaneously,” mentioned Newport Seashore Police Chief Jon Lewis. “We had rescue personnel that consisted of law enforcement officials, firefighters and lifeguards.”
#Breaking#NewportBeach#HB1 video and reporting from @KCBSKCALDesk reveals one of many officers being pulled from the water pic.twitter.com/0gKRhL76zy
— OC Scanner (@OC_Scanner) February 20, 2022
NOW: A take a look at the wreckage after the @HBPoliceDept helicopter crash landed within the Newport Channel. Witness says he may hear the chopper engine struggling and says it did a nostril dive into the water | @CBSLApic.twitter.com/YGeOARwYA2
— Rick Montanez (@RickCBSLA) February 20, 2022
“We often have a variety of helicopters going round. It simply had the next pitch to it, didn’t sound correct. I regarded outdoors, noticed it entering into circles and noticed it take off southwest after which I heard it fall and crash (into the water),” mentioned Newport Seashore resident Alex Burchinal.
“By no means seen a helicopter crash in my life,” he mentioned. “I dwell actually shut so I rode over…. and noticed a helicopter that’s just about underwater.”
“You by no means need any lack of life, in order that’s my largest concern,” Burchinal mentioned.
A witness, Joseph Thor, informed KTLA what he noticed.
“I used to be barbecuing over on twenty sixth road. You would see a helicopter spiraling, regarded prefer it was shedding a little bit little bit of management and it type of went out of the road of sight however you may see it was happening and apparently crashed within the water over there,” Thor mentioned.
Larry Sato informed NBC Los Angeles his celebration was ready to be seated for dinner when it occurred.
“We have been ready for a desk at The Crab Cooker (restaurant) and we noticed the helicopter circle round a pair instances and so they saved getting decrease after which all of the sudden we noticed the lights simply twirling. It went behind the constructing and we by no means noticed the influence,” Sato mentioned. “It was horrifying.”
Individuals who noticed the helicopter go down have been screaming, mentioned a lady with Sato who was additionally interviewed by NBC LA.
Saturday’s crash stirred reminiscences of the March 1987 crash of a Costa Mesa police helicopter that killed two Costa Mesa officers aboard. It crashed after colliding with a Newport Seashore police helicopter over Irvine whereas they pursued a suspected automobile thief.
And earlier Saturday, a helicopter crashed into ocean waters off Miami Seashore near swimmers. Two individuals have been harm.