CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. — A state police helicopter flying above a clash between protesters crashed Saturday near a golf course in the Virginia woods, killing two people on board, police said.
Lt. H. Jay Cullen and Trooper-Pilot Burke M.M. Bates were killed in the crash, Virginia State Police said.
“(The helicopter) was assisting public safety resources with the ongoing situation,” state police said in a statement when it crashed around 4:50 p.m. near the Birdwood Golf Course. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
Helicopter crash fully involved believed to be VSP Helicopter working the protest but agency not confirmed.
— VPFF President Bragg (@Hoosff) August 12, 2017
FAA: "A Bell 407 helicopter crashed seven miles southwest of Charlottesville at about 4:50 pm today." pic.twitter.com/q5ZX6hImrs
— Dan Linden (@DanLinden) August 12, 2017
No one on the ground was injured.
The crash happened just a couple hours after a car plowed into a crowd of people.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Cox Media Group
