2
officers OK after Metro chopper crash downtown
Posted: Dec 31, 2014 4:42 PM EST
Updated: Dec 31, 2014 7:43 PM EST
LAS VEGAS -- A Metro Police helicopter crashed in a Las Vegas
neighborhood Wednesday afternoon injuring two officers, police said.
The crash occurred at 1:30 p.m. at
Bonanza Road and 23rd Street. The helicopter went down in the street, according
to Metro.
The officers were transported to
University Medical Center, police said. The FAA reports that their injuries
aren't life-threatening. No citizens were injured.
"I would say it's some pretty
good piloting skills in order not to hit houses, light police or anything else
in the area," said Metro Deputy Chief Patrick Neville. "The pilots,
from what we saw, did an outstanding job with getting that helicopter down with
no injuries or damage to the neighborhood."
Motorists are advised to avoid the
area. Bonanza Road is closed between Bruce Street and Eastern Avenue.
Metro purchased
the new MD 530F helicopter in July 2010. The Las Vegas Metropolitan
Police Air Support Unit began operation in 1969. The unit has 22 helicopter pilots.
The NTSB and the FAA are
investigating.