June 29, 2008 Medevac Helicopters Collide, Seven Dead

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By Russ Niles, Editor-in-Chief

At least seven people died and three were critically injured when two medical helicopters collided and crashed near a hospital in Flagstaff, Ariz. about 3:45 p.m. Sunday afternoon. Initial reports say a patient was among the dead. There were no casualties on the ground and, of course, authorities were not speculating on a cause. "As you can imagine, we've got lots of heaps of metal to go through," Capt. Mark Johnson of the city's fire department told CNN. "It's just difficult right now."

The crash ignited a 10-acre wildfire that was quickly put out. Authorities are now on the scene investigating. At least one helicopter was owned by Air Methods Corp, according to FAA spokesman Ian Gregor.