Tour Helicopter Makes Emergency Landing In Park

A tour helicopter from Maverick Helicopters, Inc. made an emergency landing in the park just before 6 p.m. Monday evening after striking a bird in mid-flight. The helicopter landed safely on the River Mountains loop trail near a Southern Nevada Water Authority water treatment plant. Game wardens from the Nevada Department of Wildlife saw the damaged helicopter land on the trail, a paved multi-use path, and headed to the scene. They provided first aid while National Park Service rangers responded. The pilot suffered a laceration to the face requiring stitches.  He was transported to the hospital by park service ambulance. None of the six passengers aboard – all tourists from London – were injured. The helicopter was heading to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas when it struck the bird.