7 months ago
SMITHSBURG, Md. (WUSA/AP) -- Four people died late Thursday night when a privately-owned helicopter crashed along Interstate 70 in Washington County, Maryland. The helicopter brought down power lines on the highway when it crashed and police closed the highway in both directions for several hours. The crash happened on the western slope of South Mountain. That is about 10 miles east of Hagerstown, Md.
Maryland State Police have released the names of the victims killed in the crash. They are tentatively identified as 48-year-old Kim Felix of New Market, Maryland, 24-year-old Jeffery Nordaas of Columbia, Maryland, Niall Booth of New Market, Maryland and 39- year-old George Tutor or Westminster, Maryland.
Police tell 9NEWS NOW Digital Correspondent James Hash the helicopter went down in the left lane and left shoulder of I-70. The first calls for the crash came in to police around 10:30pm. There was a fire which followed. No cars on the interstate were hit.
All lanes of I-70 were reopened to traffic around 5:30 a.m.
Three of the victims worked for Advanced Helicopter Concepts in Frederick and the fourth was passenger, one of its instructors, Gary Smith, said Friday morning. He said the company had suffered a "huge loss."
"We thank everyone for their support and understanding during this difficult time," he said, declining to release further details. The company trains pilots, takes photographers on aerial tours and fixes and sells helicopters, according to its Web site.
Police say the helicopter which crashed was a white Robinson R-44 piston engine helicopter. Officials at the Hagerstown, Md. airport say it had just finished raining at the time of the crash. There was some fog in the area. Right now, it is not clear if weather played a role.
NTSB officials confirm the helicopter was owned Marsan Aviation, INC., based in Wilmington, Delaware.
The NTSB plans to update the media at a press conference that will be held Friday morning at the Hagerstown Airport.
