Four occupants ‘unharmed’; taken to hospital as precaution
A helicopter operated by INEM, the National Institute for Medical Emergency, crash-landed in Atei, Mondim de Basto, today, carrying four medical personnel.
All four were essentially unharmed – suffering minor abrasions, says Lusa – and have been taken to hospital as a precaution.
The accident happened at 12.30, after the helicopter responded to a call to an accident at a local quarry.
According to an INEM source, “during the landing, the propellers (of the aircraft) raised a lot of dust” causing the helicopter to crash into trees, and then tip over on its side.
What could have been a lot worse then had to be ‘contained’ as the aircraft was carrying 900 litres of fuel.
The four on board – the pilot, co-pilot, a doctor and nurse – were able to exit the aircraft unaided, but the decision was made to take them to hospital nonetheless.
Lusa’s report makes little further mention of the victim of the accident at the quarry – described as a fall from a height – nor what arrangements were made to ensure alternative medical response.
According to SIC however, the medical team did manage to give the victim first aid before he was transported to hospital in Guimarães, and they were taken to hospital for observation.
In all 31 operatives and nine vehicles were mobilized as a result of this incident, while GPIAAF – the Office for the Prevention and Investigation of Aircraft and Railway Accidents (GPIAAF) – has mobilised an investigation team, which will be on its way to the scene.
Source: LUSA
