RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CALIFORNIA: All three victims of the fatal mid-air helicopter crash have been identified by the authorities. The incident took place on Sunday night, August 6, in Riverside County. Governor Gavin Newsom, in a statement, shared the names of the two firefighters and a pilot who were on their way to brush fire near Cabazon.
“On behalf of all Californians, our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with the loved ones, friends and CAL FIRE colleagues mourning the loss of Assistant Chief Bischof, Fire Captain Rodriguez, and Pilot Sousa,” Newsom said. “This terrible tragedy is a reminder of the dangers our courageous firefighters face daily while working to keep our communities safe. We owe them our deepest respect and gratitude and will always honor their bravery and sacrifices.” The flags were ordered to be flown at half-mast at the state Capitol and Capitol Annex Swing Space.
Who were the firefighters that died in mid-air helicopter crash?
All three passengers onboard who died on Sunday were identified as CAL FIRE Assistant Chief Josh Bischof, 46, CAL FIRE Fire Captain Tim Rodriguez, 44, and contract Pilot Tony Sousa, 55.
CAL FIRE extended their condolences to the fallen heroes over a tweet on Monday, August 7. “It is with great sadness that #CALFIRE shares the tragic loss of our employees who perished in a mid-air collision yesterday evening while fighting the Broadway fire in Riverside County. Our condolences go out to the family and friends of Assistant Chief Josh Bischof, Fire Captain Tim Rodriguez, and Exclusive Use Helicopter Pilot Tony Sousa. #LODD,” it said.
According to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, the crash took place in a remote area near Pipeline Road and Apache Trail around 7.30 pm. Sunday, reports KTLA5.
One of the helicopters went safely, without any injuries, but the second helicopter crashed, immediately killing everyone onboard. The collision caused an additional four-acre brush fire which was later bought under control, as per officials.
'National Transportation Safety Board investigates'
The team was called in amid a 20-acre fire called the Broadway Fire spreading from a structure fire near Broadway Street and Esperanza Avenue earlier the same day. "This area has a lot of the light, flashy fuels that are becoming very prevalent with this fire season where we have a lot of these annual grasses and brush, they're getting five, six feet tall," said Cal Fire Public Information Officer Rob Roseen. "You combine that with the winds that we do have in this area, it has a dramatic effect on fires, which is why we utilize firefighting aircraft to stop these fires, to help protect homes and preserve life."
Investigators are still looking into the circumstances that may have caused the crash and is handed over to the National Transportation Safety Board.
