UTAH - Three Killed in Copter Crash

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Title: Three Killed in Utah Copter Crash

Story Filed: Friday, May 05, 2000 12:30 AM EDT

BLANDING, Utah (AP) -- A helicopter transporting oil workers crashed Thursday in southeastern Utah, killing three people and injuring three others.

The helicopter was traveling to oil fields near McCraken Mesa, about 17 miles southeast of Blanding, when witnesses said the tail section spun out of control and the aircraft fell to the ground. The cause of the crash was not immediately known.

``If you'd seen what I'd seen, you'd know it was a miracle these other guys got out alive,'' said San Juan County Sheriff Mike Lacy, adding that only the tail of the helicopter remained intact.

The crash was reported at 3:45 p.m., Lacy said. Oil field workers in the area heard the crash and pulled the survivors from the wreckage.

The Aerostar helicopter, which can carry six passengers, belonged to Peace Helicopters in Canada, Lacy said. It was being leased by Denver-based Western Geophysical to do seismograph work in the area, which is a method of finding oil by bouncing sound waves off geologic formations.

Two male survivors were flown to San Juan Regional Medical Center in Farmington, N.M. One was listed in serious condition. The other was stabilized and then flown to the University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque, N.M., where he was in critical condition Thursday night.

The third survivor was also listed in critical condition Thursday evening at San Juan Hospital.

Officials from the Federal Aviation Administration will examine the wreckage Friday, Lacy said.

http://library.northernlight.com/EA20000505040000028.html?cb=0&dx=2006&sc=0#doc

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-- (Dee360Degree@aol.com), May 05, 2000


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