Three people have died after two helicopters collided midair near an airport in Oregon.
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The fatal collision occurred at approximately 2:15 p.m. local time on Thursday, October 29. It was near McMinnville Municipal Airport, around 35 miles southwest of Portland.
A Robinson R22 helicopter carrying two people collided with an Airbus H125 carrying a single pilot.
Authorities confirmed that all three people aboard the aircraft died in the crash.
Oregon Plane Crash Leaves Three Dead After Midair Collision
Officials identified two of the victims as Maddie Aasbo, 22, and a 31-year-old student pilot from the United Kingdom. They were both aboard the Robinson helicopter.
Authorities have not yet publicly identified the British victim as they await notification of the individual's family.
The third victim was Tyler Sturdevant, 38, from Oregon, who was piloting the Airbus helicopter.
Emergency services rushed to the crash site following reports of the collision. Police officers, firefighters and medical responders attended the scene.
Leo Rodriquez, who witnessed the accident while standing on the roof of a nearby barn, described the terrifying moment the helicopters collided.
Rodriquez immediately called 911 after seeing the aircraft fall from the sky.
"I heard the helicopter noise, I bent over to do something and then boom I looked up and everything was going down," Rodriquez recalled to KPTV.
"There was a larger one [helicopter] intact still, the tail end of it was struck and then it turned and it propelled down and the other one dropped straight down."
Flight School Issues Statement Following Fatal Collision
Jerry Trimble Helicopters, a flight school and private aircraft rental company, confirmed that one of its helicopters crashed during the deadly midair collision.
The company released a statement on social media expressing its condolences to those affected by the tragedy.
"Our hearts and thoughts are with the individuals involved, their families, and everyone affected by this event," the statement read.
"We are immensely grateful for the rapid response and dedication of local emergency services and first responders."
Jerry Trimble Helicopters also confirmed that it was cooperating with authorities as investigators worked to establish the circumstances surrounding the collision.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are reportedly investigating the crash.
"We ask for the public's patience and respect for the privacy of those involved as we work alongside investigating authorities to gather verified information," the statement added.
"Further official updates will be provided as verified facts are cleared for release."
Investigators have yet to determine what caused the two helicopters to collide.
