GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — A medical helicopter crashed on the roof of a hospital in Grand Rapids, Mich., on Thursday, catching fire moments after the two people on board escaped with minor injuries, authorities said.
The pilot and passenger were in stable condition after the crash at SpectrumHealth Butterworth Hospital, said Richard Breon, president and CEO of SpectrumHealth. No patients were aboard the chopper, which crashed about 11 a.m. on a helipad atop the hospital.
The helicopter landed on its side and the two people got out before it caught fire, Fire Chief John VanSolkema said.
“There’s not a whole lot left, but you can tell it was a helicopter,” VanSolkema said.
Crash debris was found near the hospital, but there were no reports of injuries or damage on the ground. patients evacuated
It was too soon to determine whether the building had sustained any structural damage, VanSolkema said.
All surgeries at the hospital were temporarily canceled, but pediatric surgeries were resumed later in the day, Breon said. Patients were evacuated from several floors of the hospital but returned to their rooms later.
