Air-rescue helicopter crashes into Florida apartment building

August 28, 2023

At least two crew members were injured when a county sheriff’s rescue helicopter crashed into a Florida apartment building Monday morning, authorities said.

The Broward County Sheriff’s Office chopper smashed into the building a little after 8:45 a.m. in the area of North Dixie Highway and Atlantic Boulevard just south of the Pompano Beach Airpark, where it originated.

Video posted online showed the helicopter slowly descending as black smoke emanated from its tail.

Soon it was spiraling downward and crashed into the apartment building near Blanche Ely High School.

Almost immediately after, the building and aircraft were completely engulfed in flames, authorities told the South Florida Sun Sentinel,

Brian Piggotti, who was out for a walk at the time, said he saw the helicopter crash.

He told the outlet he watched the helicopter take off from the west side of the airpark, fly south and then nose-dive into the building.

Cell phone footage from a witness showed smoke and flames coming from the helicopter before it spun around and fell from the sky. — A Broward County Sheriff’s Office helicopter slowly descended as black smoke rose from its tail Monday morning.

A hole is seen in the roof of a building where the helicopter crashed. — The helicopter crashed into an apartment building in Pompano Beach near a local high school.

Smoke could be seen rising at a distance. — Smoke rose from the site of the collision Monday morning.

Pompano Beach Fire Rescue officials said they transported two people from the helicopter to a local hospital. Early reports also suggest at least one person was killed in the collision, but that has not been confirmed.

It remains unclear what may have caused the crash, as Local 10 News reports the skies were clear at the time.

Officials are now searching for potential additional victims.