Chopper Down (again...)

[GrayMatterWife]

Another hospital chopper tragedy...Here's to hoping that no one was injured (but it doesn't sound good...).

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A helicopter crashed at a hospital on Thursday, sending thick, black smoke into the air over downtown and forcing the evacuation of patients from the building.

It was not clear whether anyone had been injured in the crash around 11 a.m.

A Grand Rapids fire dispatcher confirmed the crash happened at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital, but could not provide any other details. The police department was setting up a command center, but had no other details.

Lynda Ignatoski, who was standing outside the Towers Medical building on the Spectrum Health campus, told The Grand Rapids Press she saw the helicopter's tail hit a radio tower on the hospital's roof.

Ignatoski said the helicopter spun around and debris flew everywhere. She said the helicopter hit the roof and exploded in flames.

Spectrum Health Butterworth, located in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, is part of the largest campus of Spectrum Health, which is a nonprofit health care system based in western Michigan.

Butterworth Hospital is the only Level 1 Trauma Center in western Michigan.

[Momo]

Re: Chopper Down (again...)

OMG

[HouseofWool]

Re: Chopper Down (again...)

I can't believe how many of these type of accidents there have been in the last year.

My heart aches for the families involved.

[GrayMatterWife]

Re: Chopper Down (again...)

I can't believe it...according to FOXNews satellite, there were no deaths! They are reporting that the two people in the chopper were able to escape...as the chopper literally melted around them.

What a miracle! I am so glad no one was killed.

[Deebs]

Re: Chopper Down (again...)

Read the same thing - chopper landed on its side and caught fire while the pilot was practicing landing approaches - both riders escaped unharmed. It did force evacuation of several hundred patients (anyone who's worked in a hospital can imagine the chaos).

Re: Chopper Down (again...)

How scary! There does seem to be a rash of these lately.

[Laker]

Re: Chopper Down (again...)

spoke to my mom, who was there recovering from a minor procedure...and all is well at the hospital. 2 minor injuries...the evacuated some of the hospital to the local community college...all in all seems to be a very lucky situation for those involved.

This hospital area is really exploding (for lack of a better term)... billions of dollars of medical investment in downtown Grand Rapids' Medical Mile.