Police: Fatal fall from helicopter during training incident

Delaware State Police say a 46-year-old firefighter has died after falling from a state police helicopter.

The incident reportedly happened around 6:45 p.m. at the Delaware Coastal Airport on Rudder Lane during a routine hoist training.

At a press conference Monday night, Sergeant Richard Bratz of the Delaware State Police told media the training happens every 30 days with Delaware Air Rescue Team (“DART”).

DART is made up of volunteer firefighters and troopers from across the state.

Police say the victim, a 46-year-old Lewes man, was the aircraft system’s hoist operator and reportedly fell from the skid. He fell from an undetermined height onto a grassy area below the aircraft, according to police.

Sergeant Bratz tells 47ABC he was pronounced dead at Beebe Healthcare; however, life saving efforts were performed beforehand

“What the pilot did was he immediately and safely landed that aircraft,” he says. “The trooper and volunteer firefighter on board rushed over to that person…that subject…and and actually rendered a medical assistance and nearby volunteer firefighters also rushed to the scene to render assistance.”

As of 11:00 p.m. Monday, authorities have not released the victim’s name or where he volunteered.

The investigation is being handled by the FAA with the assistance of the Delaware State Police.