Helicopter crash
What a scary situation for everyone at the hospital and surrounding area this morning. The following article is from WZZM 13 website:
Grand Rapids – A news conference was held this afternoon to discuss the details of a helicopter crash at Spectrum Butterworth. It happened a little after 11:08 a.m.
Matt VanVranken, President of Spectrum Health, confirms the helicopter crashed on the helipad located on the 11th floor of the hospital. VanVranken says there was a pilot and one passenger on board when the helicopter crashed on the helipad. They were able to escape before the helicopter caught on fire. The FAA says the helicopter was on a training mission, practicing approaches to the hospital.
An eyewitness said the helicopter landed, then lifted off and got to about 100 feet. According to the witness, it looked like the rear rotor clipped an antenna and the helicopter crashed down onto the helipad and rolled on its side. There is not much left of the helicopter.
Patients and staff have been evacuated from the top floors of the hospital. Those who were on the 8th floor or below are now back in their rooms. Surgeries scheduled today have been postponed and ambulances were the only vehicles given access to the hospital. At one point, there was a loss of power. But it has since been restored.
Emergency crews are responding from all across the city. Some of the main roads around the hospital are being re-opened. The Grand Rapids Police Department reports that some side roads will remain closed to allow investigators to search for debris.
Spectrum Health Emergency is closed. All emergencies are being routed to St. Mary’s Hospital.
This scene isn’t to far from my house.
Thankfully there were no fatalities from this accident.
May 29th, 2008 at 4:37 PM
OMG! That’s very scary. I don’t think I’ve ever heard of a helicopter crashing at the hospital.
May 30th, 2008 at 6:37 AM
geeeeez! O my scary indeed! I am glad no one was hurt!
palmtreefanatics last blog post..My favorite childrens book