3 California Department of Fish and Game biologists die in helicopter crash

[Kadie]

3 state biologists die in helicopter crash
Demian Bulwa, Chronicle Staff Writer

Tuesday, January 5, 2010


(01-05) 16:10 PST MADERA -- Three biologists with the California Department of Fish and Game were killed today when their helicopter crashed in a remote area of the Sierra foothills south of Yosemite National Park, an agency official said.

Game Warden Patrick Foy said the helicopter went down near Redinger Lake in Madera County near the Fresno County border. The crash happened at 12:25 p.m.

The helicopter, a Bell 206 operated by Landells Aviation of Desert Hot Springs (Riverside County), had four people aboard, including the pilot.

Foy said he could not confirm the status of the pilot. An official for Landells Aviation, who declined to give his name, said the company was "anxiously awaiting word" from authorities.

snip...

The biologists, who have not been identified, were estimating the size and health of the local deer population in an effort to develop strategies for managing the animals, Foy said. He said the work carried a measure of danger because pilots had to fly at low altitude, but that Landells Aviation had years of experience in the area.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/01/05/BA8J1BE22P.DTL&tsp=1#ixzz0bmpnzRR2

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Oh, NO.

What dreadful news.

I am so sorry to hear this...

My condolences to their families and to all who knew and loved them.

[mike_c]

2. damn, that's tough....

No names yet. What a terrible tragedy.

[Arctic Dave]

3. RIP

[Bobbieo]

4. Yes, what a trsgedy. RIP!

[Betsy Ross]

5. Heart breaking

Good people doing good work. Condolences to family and friends.

[tabatha]

6. Damn!

Biologists are great people.
Condolences to their families, their co-workers, and the species they were helping to protect.

[XemaSab]

7. Wow

I might know them... I used to work down there. :(

[XemaSab]

8. The names have been released

http://www.fresnobee.com/updates/story/1770017.html

[Kadie]

9. I just saw the update.

Did you know them?

Very sad.

[XemaSab]

10. I didn't, no

:(