A helicopter crash transpired in Pompano Beach, Florida, on August 28, leading to the tragic demise of a fire captain and an unidentified female bystander.
The Broward County Sheriff’s Office has verified that the incident resulted in severe injuries to four additional individuals.
The Airbus Helicopter EC 135T-1, a rescue helicopter, was en route to North Lauderdale when it crashed into a building shortly after departing Pompano Beach Airpark around 8:45 a.m.
Video footage captured the helicopter descending with black smoke trailing from its tail before colliding near Blanche Ely High School. Following the impact, the aircraft and the one-story building caught fire.
Fire Captain Terryson Jackson, aged 50 and a veteran of the Broward Sheriff’s Office for 19 years, was among the casualties. Fire Chief Timothy Keffe expressed sorrow, remarking that Jackson “passed doing what he loved.”
Amidst the wreckage, both crew members, including the 37-year-old pilot, managed to escape and were spotted on the building’s roof. Evacuations were carried out for residents of the affected building. Resident Victoria Walczak likened the scene to “a war zone.”
The cause of the crash, occurring under reportedly clear skies, is currently under investigation.
