UPDATED: Two People Rescued in Helicopter Crash in South Kingstown
GoLocalProv News Team
UPDATED: Two People Rescued in Helicopter Crash in South Kingstown
According to police, "At approximately 8:24 AM, a 911 call came in with a report of a helicopter in Worden Pond.
South Kingstown Police, Union Fire and EMS were dispatched and when they arrived on scene, they met Robert Buscher, age 62, of South Kingstown, who had been fishing on his boat on Worden Pond.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTHe had responded to the downed helicopter and helped the two occupants get out of the water.
The operator of the helicopter, Jeff Codman, 54, was treated and released at the scene. The passenger, Amira Malik, was transported to South County Hospital with minor injuries.
Both are employees of REGENT Craft, a North Kingstown manufacturer of sea gliders. At the time of the crash, they were testing downward-facing sensors on the water. The helicopter is leased from Nantucket Helicopters, LLC.
“I want to thank the quick-thinking and actions of Mr. Buscher who immediately responded to the scene,” said Matthew C. Moynihan, Chief of Police for South Kingstown. “Police, fire, and rescue arrived quickly and were then able to assess and treat the occupants. Water temperatures are quite low and this was great teamwork and a good outcome for all involved.”
Regent, when reached for comment, said that only one of the occupants was an employee.
"One REGENT employee was a passenger on board a helicopter that experienced an incident over Worden Pond earlier this morning," said spokesperson Lauren Rugani. "The aircraft was leased and flown by a contracted pilot, who is not an employee of REGENT. No REGENT vehicles were involved in the incident. We’re happy to report that no one sustained serious injuries."
As GoLocal reported earlier:
A helicopter crashed in South Kingstown on Tuesday morning.
Police released the following statement shortly before 10 AM.
"Two people were rescued from the helicopter crash in Worden's Pond.
One was transported to South County Hospital with minor injuries, the other was treated at the scene and released.
The investigation is ongoing."