BRITISH STUDENT PILOT AMONG THREE K*ILLED AFTER TWO HELICOPTERS COLLIDE IN MID-AIR NEAR US AIRPORT

A British student pilot is among three people who lost their lives after two helicopters collided near an airport in Oregon, prompting a federal investigation into the cause of the tragedy.

Emergency services were called at approximately 2.15pm on Thursday, October 29, following reports of a mid-air collision a few miles east of McMinnville Municipal Airport, near Portland.

Authorities confirmed that a Robinson R22 helicopter and an Airbus H125 were involved in the accident.

All three people aboard the two aircraft were pronounced d*ead.

THREE VICTIMS CONFIRMED

Yamhill County Sheriff Sam Elliott confirmed that two people were travelling in the Robinson R22, while the Airbus H125 was carrying one person.

The Robinson’s occupants were a flight instructor from Texas and a student pilot from the United Kingdom.

The British trainee’s identity has not yet been publicly released.

The two American victims were identified as Maddie Aasbo, 22, a flight instructor, and Tyler Sturdevant, 38, a pilot from Oregon.

One of the helicopters was associated with Jerry Trimble Helicopters, a flight training school based at McMinnville Airport.

The school released a statement expressing sympathy for the victims, their families and everyone affected by the tragedy.

WITNESS DESCRIBES MOMENTS BEFORE CRASH

According to local reports, a witness standing on the roof of a nearby barn saw the helicopters collide before falling to the ground outside the airport perimeter.

The witness immediately contacted emergency services.

Recovery operations continued into Thursday evening as investigators worked to establish the circumstances surrounding the collision.

The incident also caused disruption to nearby roads while emergency personnel attended the scene.

FEDERAL INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have taken responsibility for investigating the accident.

Investigators are expected to examine the aircraft’s flight paths, communications and other available evidence to determine how the collision occurred.

The cause of the crash has not yet been established.

The tragedy has left three families mourning, including that of a British student pilot whose aviation training ended in devastating circumstances.

Authorities have not announced when further findings will be released.