Helicopter Down in Lee; Three Taken to BMC

Staff reportsiBerkshires
Print Story | Email Story
Officer Craig DeSantis was first on the scene. He told WNYT about his experience.
LEE, Mass. — Two utility workers and the pilot of a helicopter were taken to Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield after the chopper came down on Tyringham Road this afternoon.

The injuries were reportedly not life-threatening.

According to reports from the scene by WNYT Channel 13, the workers were doing routine inspection of power lines in an Air2 helicopter for Northeast Utilities, parent company of Western Massachusetts Electric. Air2 specializes in airborne transmission line work, according to its Web site.

The road was shut down and the Federal Aviation Administration was investigating the incident.

There were reports of a power line down; WMECO's map did not indicate any power outages in that area.

The linemen were apparently riding on the skids of the helicopter, which took off from Pittsfield Municipal Airport. According to The Berkshire Eagle, the linemen were from PAR Electrical Contractors Inc. of  Missouri and were running new wires for Western Massachusetts Electric Co.  Air2 is based in Maryland.

Lee Police Officer Craig DeSantis was on a traffic detail when he saw the copter crash and rushed to the scene. DeSantis unhooked an unconscious passenger and pulled him from the aircraft while the rotors and motor were still running.

"I didn't feel it was save so I wanted to get the victims out as soon as I could," he told WNYT. "I'm just doing my job."


If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Multiple Departments Respond to Lanesborough Structure Fire

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

LANESBOROUGH, Mass. — Multiple fire departments responded to a structure fire off Narragansett Avenue on Wednesday afternoon. 

The Fire Department received a call from the owner of 6 Bangor St. reporting smoke and flames at around 1:44 p.m.

Firefighters arriving on scene reported heavy smoke emanating from the 1940s single-family ranch home in the thickly settled neighborhood.

The blaze was brought under control in less than an hour and there were no civilian or firefighter injuries. 

"The homeowner was outside doing some work, evidently, opened the door when she came back in the house, and there were flames and smoke, so she backed out and called us, and that's all we know right now," Deputy Fire Chief Glen Storie said around 2:35 p.m. 

The fire was out at that time, and first responders observed "quite a bit of damage" to the home. The cause is still under investigation. 

Lanesborough, Cheshire, and Pittsfield departments responded to the scene, and Hancock covered the station during the call. 

"The first crew in knocked the fire right down with the first engine," Storie said. 

Smoke could be seen coming from the back of the home. Part of Narragansett Avenue and Bangor Avenue were blocked off while firefighters battled the blaze. 

 

View Full Story

More Lee Stories