Three injured in Kansas helicopter crash

Three people were injured today when a helicopter crashed in Valley Falls, Kan., which is about 30 miles northeast of Topeka.

The pilot and two passengers were taken to a Topeka hospital for treatment of minor injuries after the helicopter, from Hawkeye Aviation in Ottawa, Kan., went down about 9:45 a.m., said Jefferson County Sheriff Jeff Herrig.

The helicopter crashed and rolled onto its side on an old rail line that has been converted to a walking trail on the east side of the city, Herrig said.

The trail is within city limits, but is on property owned by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Herrig said.

The crew was checking pipelines and the tail rotor apparently lost speed. Witnesses said the helicopter was spinning before it crashed, he said.

“This is the third air crash we have had in the last year and half in the county,” Herrig said.

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