A helicopter crashes in Suwan

Photo courtesy of Anthony Brooks.

A firefighting helicopter, on its way back to its base in Gangneung from the Sewol ferry disaster site, crashed at around 10:50am  in Suwan’s housing area of Gwangsan-gu.

Officials report that all five firefighters aboard were killed. One female high school student received minor injuries.

Perhaps due the nationwide interest in vehicular safety caused by the Sewol ferry disaster, the National Emergency Management Agency was asked if the helicopter was due for replacement, according to the Korea Herald. A representative of the agency replied that the helicopter, an AS365N3, was purchased in 2001 and not due to be replaced for 20 years.