[Scan-DC] (no subject)

[James Richardson]

Helicopter Crashes Near Soldiers Home

Four People Were On Board

POSTED: 4:54 pm EDT May 30, 2006

UPDATED: 5:37 pm EDT May 30, 2006

WASHINGTON -- A MedStar helicopter crashed Tuesday evening near the Armed
Forces Retirement Home in Northwest Washington, News4 reported. 

The crash happened just before 5 p.m. An FAA official said the helicopter
was on fire after the initial impact. 

Four people were on the helicopter when it crashed, according to FAA
spokesman Jim Peters. The four were a pilot, co-pilot, nurse and patient. 

Rescue workers were trying to free the pilot from the wreckage. 

There was no immediate word on the conditions of the victims. 

The Armed Forces Retirement Home, also known as the Soldiers Home, is
located in the 3700 block of North Capitol Street near Rock Creek Church
Road and Upshur Street in Northwest. 

The MedStar One helicopter crashed while on its approach at Washington
Hospital Center. It crashed about 1 mile northeast of its destination,
Peters said. 

There was no immediate word on where the helicopter was coming from.