Northeastern Pennsylvania Helicopter Crash Claims 5 Lives, Including 1 Child
A helicopter went down in stormy weather on Saturday night in northeastern Pennsylvania, killing four adults and one child, Associated Press reported, citing officials.
The pilot contacted an air-traffic control tower around 10:30 p.m. about an attempt to land at a nearby airfield, according to Wyoming County coroner Thomas Kukuchka, before the aircraft went off the radar.
According to the coroner, the crash occurred after the pilot reported a loss in altitude, and added that the region, which is heavily wooded, saw severe thunderstorms Saturday night.
"It appears to be a father and son, a father and daughter and the pilot,” Kukuchka, told AP.
The coroner did not release the names of the deceased, AP reported, but said his office was trying to reach family members of the deceased in Leesburg, Va., Ellicott City, Md., and Kintnersville, Pa.
The helicopter departed from Greater Binghamton Airport in New York and was bound for Jake Arner Memorial Airport in Lehighton, Pa., according to AP, which cited the Federal Aviation Administration. However, the report added, officials believe the helicopter had started its journey at a nearby airfield.
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