Helicopter crashes at Grand Rapids, Michigan hospital

by Rachel Nixon | May 29, 2008 at 09:04 am

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A helicopter has crashed at a hospital in Grand rapids, Michigan, forcing the evacuation of patients.

UPDATE: 1450 EDT: Two people on board escaped with minor injuries and are in stable condition. No patients were on board the helicopter when it crashed, and those on board got out before it caught fire, according to fire officials.

It was not clear whether anyone had been injured in the crash around 11 a.m.

A Grand Rapids fire dispatcher confirmed the crash happened at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital, but could not provide any other details. The police department was setting up a command center, but had no other details.

Lynda Ignatoski, who was standing outside the Towers Medical building on the Spectrum Health campus, told The Grand Rapids Press she saw the helicopter's tail hit a radio tower on the hospital's roof.

Ignatoski said the helicopter spun around and debris flew everywhere. She said the helicopter hit the roof and exploded in flames.

Spectrum Health Butterworth, located in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, is part of the largest campus of Spectrum Health, which is a nonprofit health care system based in western Michigan.

Butterworth Hospital is the only Level 1 Trauma Center in western Michigan.