Helicopter crashes into river in Alpine County, pilot has minor injuries

ALPINE COUNTY, Calif. - A day of fishing on the East Carson River in Alpine County didn't end up as planned for one man. On Tuesday, October 24, the Alpine County Sheriff's Office received a report of an overdue fisherman who had flown his privately owned helicopter to go fishing.

Alpine County Sheriff Tom Minder and deputies responded to the area of the East Carson River to locate the fisherman. While en route, deputies were notified the fisherman had called 911 to report his helicopter crashed and was currently in the river.

Dispatch was able to provide coordinates for the fisherman’s location and deputies proceeded to contact him. The fisherman sustained minor injuries in the crash and was ultimately flown by Care Flight to Carson Valley Medical Center for treatment.

After further investigation, deputies learned the fisherman had successfully landed his helicopter on the bank of the East Carson River. After a day of fishing, the fisherman began to start his helicopter to fly back home, but as the helicopter was starting, a portion of the riverbank it was sitting on gave way and the helicopter tumbled into the river.

The fisherman was able to get out of the helicopter and swim to shore.

The helicopter remains in the East Carson River; however, crews are being coordinated to retrieve it. The helicopter is not fully submerged and is not leaking fuel or other fluids into the waterway.

The FAA, USFS, and CA Fish and Wildlife have been notified and are coordinating a response.