The Audubon County Sheriff’s Office reports two people from Minnesota died in the Tuesday afternoon crash of a helicopter. Their names were being withheld pending notification of family. Authorities say on Tuesday afternoon a person in the area of 240^th and Robin Avenue, heard a loud sound and observed a helicopter crashing. The individual called 911. Guthrie County received the call and relayed the information to Audubon County.

Audubon and Exira Fire and Rescue Departments were dispatched to the scene. Upon arriving, it was observed the helicopter and the area around it was on fire, due to a power line that had been taken down in the crash.  Witnesses have said the copter hit a power transmission line before crashing into the ground and bursting into flames. Debris from the crash struck a passing, nearby pickup truck, but no one in the vehicle was hurt.

The crash investigation and determination of cause is being handled by the FAA, assisted by the Iowa State Patrol Technical Investigation and the Audubon County Sheriff’s Office. Assisting Tuesday night was the Guthrie County Sheriff’s Office, Guthrie County EMA, Audubon County EMA, Audubon Fire & Rescue, Exira Fire Department and Audubon County Secondary Roads crews.