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In a devastating incident during a training mission, two individuals lost their lives when a Mercy Flight air ambulance helicopter crashed in upstate New York, Your Content has learned.
The victims have been identified as James Sauer, a retired New York State Police pilot, and Stewart Dietrick, a flight instructor from Texas, both aged 60.
The unfortunate crash occurred in the town of Elba, Genesee County, on Tuesday afternoon, near Norton Road.
According to state police, the helicopter reportedly hit power lines during its descent, although investigators do not currently believe this to be the primary cause of the accident.
Major Eugene Staniszewski, speaking at a press conference near the crash site, stated, “At this point, we don’t know why the helicopter went down.”
The investigation is expected to extend over a month.
Eyewitness testimonies suggest that the aircraft was experiencing engine trouble before the crash, adding a potential angle for investigators to explore.
The loss of these two lives serves as a somber reminder of the risks faced by those dedicated to emergency response and aviation training, according to The SUN.
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