BSO Fire Rescue Helicopter Crashes in Pompano Beach: 1 Dead, 2 Injured
A Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) Fire Rescue helicopter crashed in Pompano Beach on Wednesday morning, killing one crew member and injuring two others.
The helicopter was responding to a call for a water rescue when it crashed into a parking lot near the intersection of Atlantic Boulevard and Copans Road. The cause of the crash is under investigation.
The crew member who was killed was identified as 36-year-old Lt. Christopher Swain. The two injured crew members were identified as 33-year-old Firefighter Michael Stewart and 45-year-old Pilot Jorge Aguiar.
Swain was a 10-year veteran of the BSO Fire Rescue Department. He was a husband and father of two. Stewart and Aguiar are both in stable condition.
The crash is the first fatal helicopter crash for the BSO Fire Rescue Department since 2008.
The crash has shaken the BSO Fire Rescue Department and the community of Pompano Beach. Swain was a well-respected member of the department and a beloved member of the community. His death is a tragedy.
The investigation into the crash is ongoing. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is leading the investigation, with assistance from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The NTSB is expected to release a preliminary report on the crash in the coming weeks. A final report could take several months to complete.
In the meantime, the BSO Fire Rescue Department is mourning the loss of Lt. Swain and praying for the speedy recovery of Firefighter Stewart and Pilot Aguiar.
The crash is a reminder of the dangers that firefighters and other first responders face every day. They put their lives on the line to protect our communities, and we are grateful for their service.
