In case you hear rumors.
Yes, the helicopter Pete was on to shoot the Four Horsemen Poker Run did crash when it was going to refuel after the first half of the run.
Pete had just gotten off of it before it headed for refueling.
At this time we have no word on the pilot.
Fingers crossed and prayers....
Rescue crews scour Fox River in Oshkosh after helicopter hits power lines
OSHKOSH - Eyewitness reports say a helicopter hit some electrical wires and went into the Fox River about 12:30 p.m. near Mahoney's Restaurant and Bar in Oshkosh.
Bystanders gathered Saturday afternoon along the riverwalk near the restaurant to watch emergency personnel launch boats into the water.
Police were clearing a perimeter to move people away from dangling wires, and Wisconsin Public Service was on the scene for a report of at least one live wire down, hanging in the water.
The helicopter was not visible in the water.
Winnebago County Sheriff's Office and Oshkosh police boats were scouring the river, using hooks to drag for debris. Rescue personnel from Omro and Menasha were also on scene.
Gary Lemiesz of Oshkosh said he watched as a dark green helicopter flew east over the river, then turned back and flew west. The helicopter hit the wires and part of the propeller broke off.
“It hit hard and sunk,” he said.
Lemiesz said several private boats converged to search the area, but nothing could be seen.
The Lake Winnebago Four Horsemen Poker Run going on this weekend has increased boat traffic in the area.
The Wisconsin Street Bridge is shut down and all boat traffic on the river has been halted.
This is the second helicopter crash in Wisconsin this year. Three people died in April when a medical helicopter crashed near Hazelhurst.
More information will be provided as it becomes available.
https://www.thenorthwestern.com/stor...ver/687649002/
:eek:
The Latest: Divers Suspend Search for Downed Helicopter
By The Associated Press June 9, 2018
OSHKOSH, Wis. — The Latest on a helicopter crash in eastern Wisconsin (all times local):
5:15 p.m.
Authorities say divers have been forced to suspend their search for a helicopter that crashed in eastern Wisconsin because of high voltage power lines in the Fox river.
The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office says in a tweet that the helicopter went down into the river Saturday near the Wisconsin Street Bridge in Oshkosh, after witnesses said it hit power lines.
Winnebago County Sheriff's Capt. Lara Vendola-Messer told the Oshkosh Northwestern that special equipment was being brought in by Wisconsin Public Service to remove the lines. She had no further details on the flight or how many people were onboard.
Witness Gary Lemiesz told the newspaper that the helicopter struck the wires and part of the propeller broke off, after which "it hit hard and sank."
5 p.m.
Authorities say divers planned to search the Fox River in eastern Wisconsin after a helicopter crashed into the river and sank.
The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office says in a tweet that the helicopter went down into the river Saturday near the Wisconsin Street Bridge in Oshkosh, after witnesses said it hit power lines.
Gary Lemiesz, of Oshkosh, told The Oshkosh Northwestern that he watched as a dark green helicopter flew east over the Fox River before turning back and flying west. He says it struck the wires and part of the propeller broke off, after which "it hit hard and sunk."
It's unknown how many people were onboard or what happened to them.
The sheriff's department said the river is closed to boat traffic and law enforcement authorities will be helping the power company reset the lines.
___
3 p.m.
Authorities say a helicopter hit power lines and crashed into a river in eastern Wisconsin.
The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office says the helicopter crashed into the Fox River Saturday near the Wisconsin Street Bridge in Oshkosh.
Gary Lemiesz, of Oshkosh, told The Oshkosh Northwestern that he watched as a dark green helicopter flew east over the Fox River before turning back and flying west. He says it struck the wires and part of the propeller broke off, after which "it hit hard and sunk."
The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office and Oshkosh police boats are on the scene. The helicopter isn't visible in the water and it's unknown how many people were onboard or what happened to them.
Sheriff's personnel could not be immediately reached for comment.
https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/201...he-latest.html
Holy cow!!
Todd
Attachment 85379
A helicopter is removed from the Fox River in Oshkosh, Wis., on June 9, 2018. Witness Gary Lemiesz said the aircraft struck the wires and part of the propeller broke off, after which "it hit hard and sunk." (Doug Raflik / AP)
Helicopter crashes into Fox River in eastern Wisconsin, killing 1 man
A helicopter hit power lines and plunged into the Fox River in eastern Wisconsin Saturday, killing one man.
The Winnebago County Sheriff's Office says the helicopter went down near the Wisconsin Street Bridge in Oshkosh, 94 miles north of Milwaukee after it hit the electrical wires.
Winnebago County Sheriff's Capt. Lara Vendola-Messer said special equipment had to be brought in by Wisconsin Public Service to help remove the electrical lines from the water. Divers then entered the water and the helicopter was lifted to the surface Saturday evening. A photograph showed the frame collapsed and the tail broken.
The Oshkosh Northwestern later reported that the Winnebago County Coroner's office confirmed one man died in the crash. His name was not released.
Terrible.
Miracle that Pete was not on it, but what a horrible experience and tragedy. Whether the pilot was a new friend or an old friend... a loss.
Condolences to all.
Yeah, it's a tough one. Pete's here now, we went to diner last night. He says the pilot seemed really good. One report is it looked as if the pilot made a sharp turn to avoid birds. Don't know for sure.
Photographer in Oshkosh helicopter before it crashed says he's in 'disbelief'
Video and story: http://www.wbay.com/content/news/Pho...485088431.html
RIP
Condolences to those lost and their families
Man. The pilot was only 27. :(
I hope Pete is being gentle with himself right now. That shock might last a little while.
Im Good, It wasn't my time. I try to take every precaution i can, the rest is in God's hands. Sincere condolences to Jon's family.