One person killed, two injured in crash of firefighting helicopter

Rescue boats and helicopter search the Han River after a firefighting helicopter crashed into the river in eastern Seoul, Saturday. Yonhap

One person died and two suffered injuries after a firefighting helicopter crashed into Han River in eastern Seoul, Saturday.

Rescue authorities said the helicopter, with three people on board, crashed into the river near Gangdong Bridge at 11:20 a.m. They were able to rescue the two pilots alive, but a mechanic, only identified by his surname, Yoon, died of an apparent cardiac arrest

The authorities said the three were taken to a nearby hospital where the mechanic was pronounced dead.

The Kamov KA-32 helicopter belongs to the Korea Forest Service (KFS) and was reported departing from Gimpo Airport to put out a fire on Mount Youngchuk in eastern Seoul. A KFS official said the helicopter apparently crashed while drawing water from the river. The fire on the mountain was later extinguished.

One witness said the helicopter suddenly plunged into the water after hovering above it. The authorities said they will investigate the cause of the accident after retrieving the wreckage.

"Two people are still recovering from injuries, so it's difficult to get their statements at the moment," Police said. "We need to cooperate with other institutions to investigate the cause of the accident and conduct an autopsy on the deceased." (Yonhap)