Various New Mexico news sources are reporting the deaths of a hiker and helicopter pilot who lost their lives in a chopper crash. Megumi Yamamoto and her boyfriend were hiking on Tuesday when they became separated and lost. A call to 911 led to a large ground search and the launch of the helicopter. Her boyfriend made it to safety but spent the night helping search and rescue teams.
Overnight, it was reported that Megumi was picked up by the helicopter, but the chopper disappeared shortly after the pick up. In the morning, Blackhawk choppers were sent to search for the helicopter; they soon found the wreckage of the crash with the bodies of the hiker and the pilot.
State police have confirmed that hiker Megumi Yamamoto and pilot Sgt. Andy Tingwall have been found dead. Officials said earlier Thursday that they feared university student Yamamoto did not survive the crash Tuesday night. The chopper had just rescued Yamamoto, who had been on a hiking trip, when it hit the side of a mountain. The third person aboard, state police officer Wesley Cox, managed to reach safety Wednesday. [full story]
The survivor, Wesley Cox, walked more than a mile to safety with a crushed leg and a broken back. Yamamoto, a University of New Mexico physics doctoral student from Tokyo, was confirmed dead earlier Thursday after rescuers reached the bodies.
There’s something so sad about this story, knowing that Megumi was rescued, only to be killed shortly in a helicopter crash a few minutes later. Condolences to the loved ones of both victims.
*not the Megumi Yamamoto of anime fame
Photo courtesy: KRQE.com
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