Three people were killed after two firefighting aircraft collide in California.

Two helicopters have collided mid-air while fighting a raging blaze in Riverside County, southern California.  

While battling a roaring fire in Riverside County, southern California, two helicopters crashed in midair.  

The incident happened as California fire departments responded to a building fire in the Cabazon neighbourhood that had quickly spread to the nearby greenery. The mission featured both rotary and fixed-wing aircraft. 

Unknown factors led to the collision between a Bell 407 with registration N555AS and a Sikorsky S-64E Skycrane heavy-lift helicopter with registration N4037S. The Sikorsky S-64E was successful at performing a hard landing. However, the contract pilot and two firefighters on board died when the Bell 407 crashed into a rocky mountainside. 

“Unfortunately, the second helicopter crashed, and tragically, all three members perished,” California Fire Southern Region Chief David Fulcher said during a press conference. “Our hearts go out to the families of these brave individuals who made the ultimate sacrifice while battling the inferno to protect our communities.” 

In addition, a new wildfire was started nearby the Bell 407 crash site that was eventually put out by firefighters. 

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