By By Micheal Chukwuebuka
TWO people, on Thursday, died after a helicopter struck power lines spanning the Mississippi River and crashed onto a barge below, authorities confirmed.
Stonix News learnt that the incident occurred around 11 a.m. near St. Charles County, Missouri, while the helicopter crew was conducting maintenance work on the transmission lines, said State Patrol Corporal Dallas Thompson.
The helicopter burst into flames after impact, but the fire was quickly extinguished. No injuries were reported among the barge crew.
First responders temporarily evacuated the area after a power line fell into the river, though it was later determined the wire was not live.
The crash site was near Alton, Illinois, just across the Missouri state line and north of St. Louis.
Witness Wallace Maier, who was leading a fishing charter at the time, described the crash as sudden and devastating.
“As soon as it touched it, there was just an explosion. It was just gone,” Maier told local media.
Utility company Ameren confirmed that a contractor and subcontractor were working to repair and replace tower lighting and marker balls on the transmission lines in Madison County, Illinois, when the accident occurred.
“We are saddened about today’s tragic incident. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with the victims’ families and colleagues,” the company said in a statement, adding it would cooperate fully with investigators.
The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation into the crash. Officials identified the helicopter as a Hughes 369D.
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