29.03.2024

Utah man dies when helicopter debris falls on his head

The brother-in-law of Senator Mike Lee has died after a helicopter dropping reseeding debris on an area where the Brian Head Fire burned last year dropped some straw mulch on his head.

Aerial drops were being conducted on Saturday over a burn scar left by the fire that burned almost 71,000 acres and was started by humans.

Brian Burr, 58, was on the grounds calling out locations to drop the mulch when he was hit in the head by debris, according to Iron County Sheriff’s Office.
Aerial drops were being conducted on Saturday over a burn scar left by the Brian Head Fire that burned almost 71,000 acres and was started by humans. A man, 58, was on the grounds calling out locations to drop the mulch when he was hit in the head by debris, according to Iron County Sheriff’s Office.

The pilot on the helicopter saw the injured man and informed nearby ground crew, who called police.

It was determined that the man, from Alpine, Utah, had died when Brian Head Marshall Jeff Morgan arrived on the scene around 1.45pm.

‘It was determined he likely died as a result of blunt force trauma from falling debris during the airdrop,’ said the sheriff’s office in a statement.

It was determined that the man, from Alpine, Utah, had died when Brian Head Marshall Jeff Morgan arrived on the scene (pictured) around 1.45pm

It was determined that the man, from Alpine, Utah, had died when Brian Head Marshall Jeff Morgan arrived on the scene (pictured) around 1.45pm

The debris is used on burn sites to help control the effects of erosion following a wildfire. Straw mulch reduces the issues associated with rain and soil movement

The debris is used on burn sites to help control the effects of erosion following a wildfire. Straw mulch reduces the issues associated with rain and soil movement

Since the family still has to be notified, the victim’s name hasn’t been released.

Iron County Sheriff’s Crpl. Dan Raddatz Office could not confirm whether wind had anything to do with the man getting hit by debris.

The debris is used on burn sites to help control the effects of erosion following a wildfire. Straw mulch reduces the issues associated with rain and soil movement.

Raddatz added that the debris may have been straw that was breaking apart during the drop but it could have also been something else caught in the net.

The National Transportation Safety Board has to conduct their own investigation since the incident involved a chopper.

The National Transportation Safety Board has to conduct their own investigation since the incident involved a chopper (stock)

The National Transportation Safety Board has to conduct their own investigation since the incident involved a chopper (stock)

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