Port of Spain: A police service helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing in a forested area off Chatham Main Road, South Trinidad. Around a 11.30 a.m the five-seater helicopter went down after the spinning blades struck the branch of a tree, the landing gear and rotors were damaged in the process leaving the wreck disabled, and the pilot injured.
The helicopter was being used in a multi-million dollar narcotic eradication exercise in Chatam Cedros yesterday. A crew member was treated for soft tissue injuries at the San Fernando Genaral Hospital and later discharged. A company working close to where the accident occured was in possession of heavy equipment; and assisted in lifting the craft onto a truck which was transported to the National Helicopter Services compound in Couva. The Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority is investigating the incident.
