Two people were killed and a third injured in a helicopter crash Sunday afternoon in a remote area of Keating Township, north of Smethport.
Reports from the scene indicated the helicopter was carrying part of a crew handling power line work in the area.
McKean County Coroner Mike Cahill confirmed two deaths in the crash. No names were released as of press time Sunday night.
Kane-based state police said they believe the helicopter was hovering by a power line while workers were tethered to the aircraft to perform maintenance on the lines.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board, state police reported.
The crew involved employees of a company called JW Didaldo Electric of Akron, Ohio. Also, reports indicate a crew from that company brought the pilot from the crash site to an ambulance.
The Smethport, Star Hose Co. of Port Allegany and Eldred Township volunteer fire departments were dispatched to the area of East Valley Road, north of Smethport along Potato Creek, at 5:15 p.m. for a reported helicopter crash. Norwich Township Volunteer Fire Department was called in to bring an off-road vehicle to the scene. Hamlin Township Volunteer Fire Department was put on standby at Smethport.
Smethport firefighters were dispatched to set up a landing zone on Water Street Extension for Mercy Flight, which had to cancel due to weather conditions. The survivor of the crash was transported to Bradford Airport by Priority Care Ambulance, where Stat Med-e-vac landed to transport the patient. The patient was reported to have arm and leg fractures and be conscious during transport.
State police said the injured worker was transported to UPMC Hamot in Erie for treatment.
East Valley Road was closed until about 7:30 p.m. Sunday.
Pennsylvania State Police from the Kane barracks, the Smethport Police Department and fire police from various departments responded to assist. Emergency medical personnel on scene were from Star Hose Co. in Port Allegany.
The kitchen committee of the Smethport Fire Department prepared food and coffee and provided water for emergency personnel.
