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Date: August 10, 2009
Contact: Andrew S. Muñoz, 702-293-8691

TOUR HELICOPTER MAKES SAFE EMERGENCY LANDING IN PARK

High Res photos at: http://flickr.com/lakemeadnra

LAS VEGAS - A tour helicopter from Maverick Helicopters, Inc. made an emergency landing in Lake Mead National Recreation Area at about 5:40 p.m. after striking a bird mid-flight. The helicopter landed safely on the River Mountains Loop Trail near the Southern Nevada Water Authority Alfred Merrit Smith Water Treatment Plant.

Game wardens from the Nevada Department of Wildlife saw the damaged helicopter land on the trail, a paved multi-use path, and responded to the scene. They provided first aid while National Park Service rangers responded.

The pilot suffered a laceration to the face requiring stitches. He was transported to the hospital by park service ambulance. None of the six passengers aboard were injured.

The passengers were tourists from London. The helicopter was heading to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas when it struck the bird.

- NPS -