Fire Department Helicopter Crash-Lands

They were on their way to rescue a person in distress off North Avenue Beach. But the crew of a Chicago Fire Department helicopter found themselves in trouble Friday when they had to make a hard emergency landing on the lakeshore.

The two pilots and two divers on board suffered minor injuries, but damage to the helicopter, which came to rest upside down near 3900 S. Lake Shore Dr., was extensive, Fire Department officials said.

The reason for the emergency landing is still under investigation.

The noon crash happened as the helicopter was en route to North Avenue Beach, where a man was reportedly having trouble in the water.

The pilot called in an air emergency, saying he was “experiencing some trouble keeping the helicopter airborne,” Fire Commissioner Raymond Orozco said. He managed to guide the chopper down…

SOURCE: Staff Reporter Monifa Thomas Sun-Times