WATCH Dramatic Rescue: Helicopter Accident Caught on Camera in France
Dramatic footage captures a firefighting helicopter crash in France's Finistère region. Both crew members survive with minor injuries after aircraft flips while collecting water.
TwitterA firefighting helicopter in France crashed dramatically into a lake on Sunday evening while attempting to scoop up water to battle a wildfire. Remarkably, both the pilot and the firefighting officer on board survived the crash and were evacuated to a hospital with only minor injuries.
The incident occurred in the Finistère region, where crews were working to contain a blaze that had broken out nearby. According to local reports in Le Parisien, the helicopter was lowering toward the water to collect a load when it suddenly dipped too deep into the surface, lost balance, and flipped over into the lake.
Footage shared on social media shows the aircraft descending toward the water, dipping slightly, then abruptly losing stability as it attempted to rise again — before toppling over in a shocking scene.
“In the course of the firefighting mission, the helicopter came into contact with the water surface, which caused the aircraft to crash,” authorities from Finistère said in a statement.
The regional fire commissioner praised the crew: “The professionalism, composure, and courage of the pilot and officer on board deserve the highest recognition.”
Local emergency services confirmed that both men were rescued and taken to hospital with only minor injuries. An official investigation has been launched to determine the exact circumstances of the crash.
Watch the footage here.