Apodaca, Nuevo León — The pilot of a helicopter was killed Friday afternoon after his chopper collapsed over a highway. The accident was reported in the municipality of Apodaca by witnesses who saw the helicopter fall near a military camp on the highway to Laredo.
“Aircraft accident is reported. Helicopter falls and begins to catch fire on Highway Laredo kilometer 19. Traffic stopped. Avoid the area,” Nuevo León Civil Protection published on social media.
The Director of Civil Protection of the State, Miguel Ángel Perales, confirmed the accident and the death of the aircraft’s pilot, identified as Francisco Elvira. Civil Protection, along with police and paramedics, rushed to the site to deal with the accident scene, which was made more difficult since the helicopter fell among a group of power lines.
“NL firefighters on site, carry out work and at the same time cordon off the area. The circulation from South to North is closed in its entirety. A lifeless person is confirmed at the scene of the accident. The road with heavy traffic is maintained, the work by fire brigade elements continues. The fire in the aircraft is under control,” Civil Protection reported in an update.
The aircraft was heading to a private heliport in the Monterrey metropolitan area when the accident happened. Authorities have not yet determined its cause.
