Two Helicopters Collide Near Portland, Oregon
The crash forced the closure of a key highway and local roads, with authorities urging the public to avoid the area.
Two helicopters collided Thursday near a small airport southwest of Portland, Oregon, prompting the closure of Highway 233 and several local roads, authorities reported.
Emergency crews responded around 2:15 p.m. to the area a few miles east of the McMinnville Airport following reports of a crash, according to the Yamhill County Sheriff’s Office. Officials have not yet released details regarding the number of people aboard the helicopters or their conditions.
The Oregon Department of Transportation stated that Highway 233 is closed approximately 1 mile west of Dayton due to the incident, and there is no estimated time for its reopening. The sheriff's office has asked the public to stay clear of the affected area.
The National Transportation Safety Board has acknowledged the incident and is in the process of gathering information. McMinnville, located about 35 miles southwest of Portland, is home to approximately 34,000 residents. The McMinnville Airport, situated on 650 acres, features two paved runways and is near the North American Aerospace Museum.