A helicopter crash occurred in Pompano Beach, Florida, on August 28, leading to the fatalities of a fire captain and an unidentified female bystander.
Broward County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that four others suffered serious injuries during the incident.
The helicopter involved, an Airbus Helicopter EC 135T-1, was on its way to North Lauderdale but crashed into a building shortly after departing from Pompano Beach Airpark at approximately 8:45 a.m.
Footage from the scene displayed the descending helicopter with black smoke trailing from its tail before crashing near Blanche Ely High School. Subsequently, the one-story building and the aircraft caught fire.
The deceased fire captain, Terryson Jackson, aged 50 and a member of the Broward Sheriff’s Office for 19 years, passed away while carrying out his duties.
Fire Chief Timothy Keffe expressed his condolences, stating that Jackson “passed doing what he loved.”
Amidst the wreckage, two crew members, including the 37-year-old pilot, managed to escape and climbed onto the roof of the building.
Evacuations were carried out for residents of the affected building. A resident, Victoria Walczak, likened the scene to “a war zone.”
Investigations into the crash continue.