Three helicopter crew members killed in mid-air crash whereas preventing wildfire in California are named as Gov. Gavin Newsom pays tributes to ‘brave’ males
Three helicopter crew members killed in mid-air crash whereas preventing wildfire in California are named as Gov. Gavin Newsom pays tributes to ‘brave’ males
- Assistant Chief Josh Bischof, Fireplace Captain Tim Rodriguez, and contracted pilot Tony Sousa have all been named because the victims of the crash
- The crew had been battling a blaze in Riverside County, Southern California
The three crew members of a helicopter crew who had been tragically killed in a mid-air crash whereas battling wildfires in California have now been named.
California’s state firefighting company, CalFire, revealed that two firefighters and a contracted helicopter pilot had been killed within the freak accident that occurred in Riverside County, southern California on Sunday night, writing in a Fb submit:
‘It’s with nice disappointment that CalFire shares the tragic lack of our staff who perished in a midair collision yesterday night whereas preventing the Broadway Fireplace in Riverside County.
‘Our condolences exit to the household and buddies of Assistant Chief Josh Bischof, Fireplace Captain Tim Rodriguez, and Unique Use Helicopter Pilot Tony Sousa.’
Fireplace Captain Tim Rodriguez was one of many three males who died within the tragic crash over Riverside County, southern California
Assistant Chief Josh Bischof additionally perished whereas battling the blaze, one in all a number of which have been battering California this summer time
The crash itself prompted a separate hearth that was fortunately put out by different firefighters
California’s governor Gavin Newsom weighed in on the tragedy, writing in a press release:
‘On behalf of all Californians, our ideas and heartfelt sympathies are with the family members, buddies and CAL FIRE colleagues mourning the lack of Assistant Chief Bischof, Fireplace Captain Rodriguez, and Pilot Sousa.
This horrible tragedy is a reminder of the risks our brave firefighters face each day whereas working to maintain our communities secure. We owe them our deepest respect and gratitude and can at all times honor their bravery and sacrifices.’
His workplace added that the flags at California’s State Capitol and Capitol Annex Swing Area might be flown at half-staff in honor of the fallen firefighters.
CalFire’s southern area chief David Fulcher beforehand stated throughout a information convention:
‘I want to specific our deepest sympathies and sorrow to the households and coworkers of the personnel.
‘This was a tragic loss for the neighborhood, the fireplace service neighborhood and CalFire and Riverside County Fireplace Division.
‘We’ve got misplaced three nice people. Three fathers, three husbands, three buddies, three sons,’ he stated.
‘Daughters have misplaced their fathers, sons have misplaced their fathers’.
Two helicopters that crashed into one another had been reportedly a part of a staff of six choppers that had been working to struggle a three-acre blaze that started as a construction hearth that then began spreading to vegetation.
Whereas one helicopter was in a position to land safely, the second sadly suffered a worse destiny.
The crash ended up inflicting an extra hearth within the space, which was later extinguished.
The crash is being investigated by the US Nationwide Transportation Security Board.
It comes as California suffers from a lethal wildfire season that has burned greater than 112,964 because the starting of the yr, in keeping with CalFire’s personal information.
The company has already handled 14 reported fires this month alone.
