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Helicopter crashes into Colorado River, killing 2

A yellow, two-seat helicopter crashed into the Colorado River Saturday evening, Oct. 4, 2014 not far from the Loma exit off Interstate 70. A witness confirmed two fatalities as a result of the crash. Due to the remote nature of the accident scene, another helicopter was called into service to ferry personnel back and forth from the crash site. (AP Photo/Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, Christopher Tomlison) A yellow, two-seat helicopter crashed into the Colorado River Saturday evening, Oct. 4, 2014 not far from the Loma exit off Interstate 70. A witness confirmed two fatalities as a result of the crash. Due to the remote nature of the accident scene, another helicopter was called into service to ferry personnel back and forth from the crash site. (AP Photo/Grand Junction Daily Sentinel, Christopher Tomlison)

By Associated Press October 5, 2014 1 min read

LOMA, Colorado (AP) – Authorities say a helicopter that crashed into a river in western Colorado left two occupants dead.

Mesa County chief deputy coroner Victor Yahn tells The Associated Press that the two died in Saturday’s crash, but he didn’t have any other information.

Authorities say two people were aboard the aircraft when it crashed shortly after 6 p.m. MDT into the Colorado River near Loma.

FAA spokesman Allen Kenitzer tells KKCO-TV in Grand Junction that the aircraft was a Xenon Gyroplane.

Mesa County Sheriff’s spokeswoman Lisa McCammon tells The Denver Post the helicopter took off from the Grand Junction Airport, about 20 miles southeast of the crash site.

First-responders told the Daily Sentinel that two fishermen saw the accident and pulled at least one victim from the wreckage.