3 killed as two helicopters collide mid-air near Oregon airport in US

Three people were killed after two helicopters collided mid-air near an airport in northwest Oregon on Thursday afternoon, according to the Yamhill County Sheriff's Office. The collision occurred around 2:15 pm local time near McMinnville Municipal Airport, about 40 miles southwest of Portland. Emergency responders, including local law enforcement, firefighters and medical personnel, rushed to the scene. One of the helicopters was carrying two people, a flight instructor from Texas and a student pilot from the United Kingdom, Yamhill County Sheriff Sam Elliott said during a news conference on Thursday evening. The second helicopter had only one occupant, a pilot from Newberg, Oregon, the sheriff said. The sheriff's office urged the public to avoid the area and have “patience as we respond to this critical incident.” The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) was leading the investigation into the collision, with the FAA also probing the incident. One of the helicopters involved was operated by Jerry Trimble Helicopters, a flight training school and private helicopter rental service. The company confirmed that one of its aircraft was involved in the incident. “Jerry Trimble Helicopters is deeply saddened to confirm that one of our aircraft was involved in an aviation incident this afternoon,” the company said in a statement. “… Our hearts and thoughts are with the individuals involved, their families, and everyone affected by this event.”