Monroe County Fire Rescue helicopter catches fire with patient on board
MONROE COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — A Monroe County Fire Rescue helicopter caught fire while a patient was on board Friday morning.
According to MCFR, their oldest trauma star was en route to Coral Shores High School when it caught fire during landing around 7 a.m.
MCFR says the patient was transported by an ambulance to Mariners Hospital, which is roughly a mile away. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue then air lifted the patient to a mainland hospital.
The aircraft had just undergone complete annual maintenance, but the fire caused significant damage.
The aircraft is normally used as a backup, and was in use Friday because a second Trauma Star is getting routine maintenance.
The County's second Trauma Star is expected to be back in service by Monday, MCFR says.
FAA, and Monroe County’s Trauma Star aviation division are investigating the incident.
No injuries were reported.
