[Breaking News] Firefighting Helicopter Making Emergency Landing While Rescuing Lives in Jirisan, Sancheong, Gyeongnam

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] On the afternoon of the 1st, at around 12:06 PM, an accident occurred on a firefighting helicopter engaged in rescue operations near Cheonwangbong Peak, Jirisan, Jungsan-ri, Sicheon-myeon, Sancheong-gun, Gyeongnam Province.

According to the fire authorities, the helicopter was dispatched in response to a mountain accident rescue request and is believed to have made an emergency landing while rescuing a patient and their guardian. A Fire Agency official stated, "It is understood that the helicopter made a sudden emergency landing rather than crashing."

At the time of the accident, five firefighting personnel including the pilot, co-pilot, mechanic, rescue team member, and paramedic were on board, but no serious injuries have been confirmed. The patient being rescued by the helicopter was in cardiac arrest, and the guardian below is presumed to have sustained serious injuries after failing to avoid the falling helicopter.

The firefighting helicopter involved in the accident was a Sikorsky S-76 model leased from the private sector, capable of carrying up to 14 people.

The fire authorities have established an on-site command post at the Gyeongnam Nature Learning Center in Jungsan-ri and are working on managing the accident.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.