3 Killed After Firefighting Helicopters Collide Mid-Air While Battling Blaze in California

Three people were killed after two firefighting helicopters collided mid-air on Sunday in Southern California.

Deputies responded around 7:20 p.m. local time near Pipeline Road and Apache Trail in Cabazon after “an air emergency,” according tothe Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.

Their identities have not been released at this time. These are the first casualties of California’s 2023 fire season, according toCNN.

The deadly crash soon followed, causing an additional 4-acre blaze, which was later extinguished.

“I would like to express our deepest sympathies and sorrow to the families and the coworkers of the personnel,” Fulcher added, perThe Independent. “This was a tragic loss for the community.”

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It wasn’t immediately clear what caused the helicopters to collide. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating.

PEOPLE could not immediately reach Cal Fire for comment.

source: people.com