RIVERSIDE, Calif. — A tragic mid-air collision between two helicopters that were assisting in firefighting efforts for a Southern California brush fire, left three people aboard one of the helicopters dead.
Cal Fire says crews were battling a small brush fire Sunday in the community of Cabazon in Riverside County when their Skycrane helicopter – used to drop water and fire retardant – collided with a second Bell helicopter – a chopper that hovers above to observe and coordinate operations.
The Skycrane was able to land safely with two people on board, but the other helicopter that was coordinating operations crashed, killing all three on board.
“We have lost three great individuals, three fathers, three husbands, three friends,” said Cal Fire Southern Region Chief, David Fulcher.
Cal Fire identified the victims as 46-year-old CAL Fire Assistant Chief Josh Bischof, 44-year-old Cal Fire Captain Tim Rodriguez, and 55-year-old contract pilot Tony Sousa.
“We think about this and how it affects the families,” said Fulcher. “And we want to tell everyone while the sacrifice should not be in vain, that we think about them. We will be there to support them.”
Their loss weighs heavily on their friends and colleagues.
Hemet resident Elaine Giometti spoke of Bischof, "He was a good friend to my son. Everything we ever heard about him was that he was a top-notch guy; a great father and a loving husband."
Cal Fire deputy director Nick Schuler explained, "One of the aircraft was a helicopter coordination aircraft that essentially coordinates the fire traffic area for all the other resources. The other helicopter that fortunately landed safely is a water dropping helicopter, known as a Skycrane that can drop 2600 gallons of water."
Governor Gavin Newsom released a statement Monday, saying in part, “This terrible tragedy is a reminder of the dangers our courageous firefighters face daily while working to keep our communities safe. We owe them our deepest respect and gratitude and will always honor their bravery and sacrifices.”
CBS 8 observed flags flying at half-staff Monday at the Cal Fire station in El Cajon, as they were at Cal Fire stations across the state, in honor of the fallen.
“This was a tragic loss for the community, the fire service community in Cal fire and Riverside County Fire Department,” said Fulcher.
The crash caused an additional four-acre fire that was extinguished. The NTSB and FAA are now investigating to determine what went wrong. The NTSB will fly a drone over the site Tuesday and will examine the wreckage, look at weather conditions, lighting, talk to witnesses, and in 18 to 24 months, determine a probable cause.