June 30, 2008 NTSB press conference on chopper crash Play video

(NECN: Flagstaff, AZ) - The NTSB is on scene of a deadly mid-air collision between two medical helicopters. Six People are dead and a flight nurse is the only survivor. She is in critical condition at the Flagstaff Medical Center.

Verbatim:

Sara Presler, Flagstaff Mayor: "First and foremost that the city of Flagstaff, all of its citizens and I as Mayor, offer my thoughts and my prayers to the victims and their families from yesterday's tragic helicopter collision." "Flagstaff is a close-net community and I know that this is going to hit us very hard. But we are strong and we are resilient and so continue to keep Flagstaff and most importantly those families and those victims in your prayers and thoughts."

Sgt. Tom Boughner, Flagstaff Police Department: "The National Transportation Safety Board Officials are here on scene this morning. They will be taking over the investigation."

"The Guardian Flight contained one pilot, one medic, and one patient.. all deceased. The Classic Lifeguard flight contained one pilot, one medic, one nurse and one patient.. all are deceased except for emergency nurse on board who is listed as critical condition at the Flagstaff medical center"

Capt. Mark Johnson, Flagstaff fire: "There was an explosion that did injure two Guardian Medic Ground Personell. They were treated by an additional ambulance that was on scene and additional efforts were made by Flagstaff fire to contain that fire which spread out to be about

Mark Rosenker, NTSB: "Let me first begin by offering the thoughts and the prayers from all of us at the NTSB to the family of those who lost people yesterday in this tragic accident." "Our investigations are comprehensive and methodical and they take anywhere between 12-18 months to get the determination and then make recommendations to prevent this kind of accident from happening again."

Bill Bradel, Flagstaff Medical Center: "Each and everyday our pilots are going out to Northern Arizona and rescuing people who otherwise would not be able to get to the hospital in time to bring them to care for them. There is tremendous risk in this job and these nurses and pilots from all the organizations risk their lives everyday. Unfortunately sometimes these accidents happen."