1 dead, 1 injured after helicopter crashes into Ririe Reservoir
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BONNEVILLE COUNTY — One person is dead and another was rushed to the hospital after a helicopter crashed on the ice at Ririe Reservoir Thursday afternoon.
The crash happened around 4:40 p.m. about a mile east of the Ririe Dam, according to a news release from the Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office.
Emergency crews rushed to the scene and deployed on snow machines from the Juniper Campground area. Two occupants were found inside the helicopter. One was dead and the other was taken to an ambulance before being transported to the hospital with non-life threatening injuries, the sheriff’s office says.
A downed power line was discovered in the area of the crash.
“Deputies have closed Ririe Reservoir and the area around the crash site for safety due to downed power lines and unstable ice conditions,” the news release says. “The circumstances of why the helicopter was in that area are still being confirmed and the investigation is continuing.”
Multiple agencies responded to the scene, including Idaho Falls Fire, Jefferson Central Fire, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Idaho Fish and Game, Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue, Bonneville County Fire Ammon Division, Bonneville County Coroner’s Office, Dive Rescue and Drone Teams.
The names of those involved have not been released. The FAA and NTSB are investigating the crash.
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