Three Onboard Taken To Local Hospitals

ANN REALTIME REPORTING 06.05.07 2200 EDT: Officials confirm three people onboard a Bell 206 Jet Ranger that crashed in a heavily wooded area of northwest Georgia Tuesday afternoon survived, and are being treated for broken bones at area hospitals.

All three onboard are officers with the Georgia State Patrol, according to news reports, and members of the Governor's Drug Task Force. The helicopter is part of the state patrol fleet.

The officers were inspecting the area for marijuana fields when the accident occurred. The wreckage sparked a small brush fire, that was quickly contained. 

Original Report

1555 EDT: Aero-News has learned a helicopter flying for the Georgia Governor's Drug Task Force crashed Tuesday afternoon near the town of Rockmart in the northwest part of the state. The helo, type unknown, was reportedly participating in a drug reconnaissance mission at the time of the accident.

WSB Radio News in Atlanta tells ANN initial reports from the scene indicate three people have been taken to area hospitals onboard separate medical aircraft. Live pictures from the scene show medical helicopters loading patients near a smoldering crash site in a heavily-wooded area.

There's no immediate word on the composition of the crew or the reasons for the mishap. The crash site appears to be spread over several hundred yards of dense forest.

FMI: www.faa.gov