RICHFIELD, Utah — The bodies of two people killed in a helicopter crash while fighting the Widemouth 2 Fire in central Utah have been recovered.
On Friday morning, a firefighting helicopter crashed near Richfield with two people on board.
The National Wildfire Interagency Fire Center announced Saturday morning that the pilot and passenger had died. However, local officials would not initially confirm the deaths before they could access the crash site safely.
Saturday evening, Utah Highway Patrol and Sevier County Sheriff's Office confirmed that the two crew members' bodies had been recovered. UHP troopers and other first responders escorted the bodies to the state medical examiner's office in Taylorsville.
The victims were pilots with Helicopter Transport Services company that contracted through the U.S. Forest Service.
"[The pilots] put themselves in harm’s way to protect our state and gave their lives in that service," Gov. Spencer Cox wrote in a statement on social media. "Abby and I are heartbroken. Our prayers are with their families and the entire wildland fire community. Utah will never forget their courage, their service, and their sacrifice."
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate, with the NTSB in charge.
Cox visits communities impacted by the Widemouth 2 fire to offer state support:
On Thursday, Governor Spencer Cox visited Fillmore to see up close the megafire, estimated at more than 100,000 acres, and offer state support.
Cox also shared the following statement:
"Today personnel are responding to an incident regarding firefighting aviation near the Widemouth 2 Fire. Wildland firefighting is among the most dangerous jobs in the world. Today is a painful reminder of the extraordinary risks these brave men and women accept to protect us. We ask all Utahns to keep them in your prayers and to give investigators and emergency responders the time and space they need. We will share more information as it becomes available."
As of Friday, Widemouth 2 Fire has burned 106,450 acres and was estimated to be at 19% containment.
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