Two injured in Preston County helicopter crash

Erin Cleavenger, The Dominion Post, Morgantown, W.Va.
·2 min read

Jul. 21—Two people were life-flighted to J.W. Ruby Memorial Hospital following a helicopter crash in Preston County on Friday morning. The crash scene was in a wooded area by the intersection of Rag Tavern Road and W.Va. 7 by Terra Alta, atop Cadell Mountain near Camp Dawson.

The severity of injuries sustained by the two crash victims was not known in time for this report. Their names were also not released.

Officials at the Preston County Office of Emergency Management (E911) said the crash investigation was turned over to the West Virginia State Police.

The helicopter was contracted by First Energy, which released the following statement on the incident:

"The helicopter crew members involved in today's accident were contracted by FirstEnergy to complete inspections of the company's transmission lines. Our thoughts and prayers are with those who were injured and their families."

Officials with the power company said the work was being done by its aerial contractor GeoDigital.

According to its website, GeoDigital provides 3D data and spatial intelligence software for the utility and automotive industries. Officials for the company could not be reached for comment.

The West Virginia National Guard tracked reports of the crash.

"We were able to confirm within 10 minutes that it was not a military aircraft that went down, " Guard spokesperson Sgt. Zoe Morris told MetroNews.

As of Friday afternoon, The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection was en route to the scene for fuel spilled during the accident. The Federal Aviation Administration was also heading to the scene to investigate the crash.

According to the Federal Aviation Administration:

"A Bell 206B helicopter crashed near Veterans Memorial Highway in Terra Alta, West Virginia, around 11:40 a.m. local time on Friday, July 21. Two people were on board. The Federal Aviation Administration will investigate."

West Virginia State Police could not be reached in time for this report to provide more information on the investigation into the crash.

This story will be updated as more details become available.

Jeff Jenkins, with WV MetroNews, added to this report.