Update: GCPD helicopter crashes in bad weather after assisting during car chase

Update 2:

There is no update to the two officers conditions other than they are not life threatening. According to the updated press release, prior to the crash, the two officers/pilots were assisting East Precinct Officers at the scene of a Wanted Person Located call on Mitford Court in Dacula.

The helicopter reportedly suffered significant damage and it is not clear if it can be repaired.

“At this time, it is unknown how far off the ground the helicopter was before it crashed.  The FAA is the lead agency in the cause of this aviation crash,” Detective David Smith, public information officer for GCPD said in the press release. More specific information regarding the logistics will need to be obtained from their agency.”

Update 1: 

The Gwinnett County Police Department report that one of it’s helicopter’s went down at Briscoe Field when the weather turned bad when the officers were returning to the helping uniform patrol officers involved in a car chase with a wanted subject.

“The helicopter was spotted going down at Briscoe Field near the GCPD Aviation Hangar around 10:58 a.m.,” Detective David Smith, GCPD public information officer, said in a press release. “Witnesses from the Control Tower called 911 and reported the incident.”

Smith said the helicopter was headed back to the GCPD Aviation Hangar.  The Gwinnett County Police Department, Gwinnett County Fire and Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene.

“There were two officers/ pilots on board at the time of the crash. The first officer was able to exit the helicopter. The second officer was trapped and was extricated by Gwinnett County Fire,” Smith said. “Both officers were transported to Gwinnett Medical Center –Lawrenceville to be treated for injuries.”

Smith said the extent of the injuries are unknown, but are not considered life-threatening. The families of the officers have been notified. The Gwinnett County police chief and his command staff are on scene and the FAA has been dispatched from Atlanta to investigate the cause of the crash. This is one of the two helicopters that GCPD has in its fleet.

Breaking:

Gwinnett County Police Department report that Gwinnett County Police Helicopter unit “Air 1” has gone down at Briscoe field.

Detective David Smith, public information officer with GCPD, said two officers were on board and have been transported to Gwinnett Medical Center in Lawrenceville. The extent of their injuries in unknown. The cause for the crash also is not known at this time.