Authorities rescued a pilot on Thursday afternoon whose helicopter crashed into a heavily wooded area in Coconut Creek, according to police.
The crash happened at Tradewinds Park, in the 3600 block of West Sample Rd.
According to Coconut Creek police spokesman, Scotty Leamon, construction work was underway in the area at the time of the crash.
The Bell 206 helicopter was transporting building materials for the construction company when it crashed right side up, Leamon said.
He added that the pilot was believed to be the only person on board the chopper, and his injuries were not life-threatening.
Here's a look at the work the chopper was doing this morning before it crashed in the south end of Tradewinds Park. The pilot's injuries were non-life-threatening. The video puts the work of the pilot in context. He was part of a crew restoring a drainage system in the park. pic.twitter.com/ZDMp4KaNHU
— Coconut Creek Police Department (@CoconutCreekPD) June 25, 2020
The pilot was alert when crews reached him.
However, the density and height of the trees complicated initial attempts to extricate him from the wreckage. He was airlifted out about 1:45 p.m., about 80 minutes after the first 911 call came in.
Helicopters from the Broward Sheriff’s Office and Miami-Dade County Fire Rescue assisted in those rescue efforts.
Paramedics hoisted the man up in a basket that was suspended from a Miami-Dade Fire Rescue helicopter. He was then flown to Broward Health North for treatment.
No other details were immediately released.