Married couple injured in Rusk County helicopter crash

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Published: Jun. 6, 2022 at 10:20 AM CDT|Updated: Jun. 6, 2022 at 7:22 PM CDT
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RUSK COUNTY, Texas (KLTV) - Rusk County officials say they have received reports of a private helicopter crash near the airport on Monday.

According to Michael Searcy of Rusk County Office of Emergency Management, the helicopter is a Robinson R44. It is down on the airport’s secondary runway. Two people were on board. The pilot was taken by helicopter to a Tyler hospital while the passenger was taken by ambulance to a Tyler hospital.

Sheriff JohnWayne Valdez says husband and wife were injured in crash.

Sheriff JohnWayne Valdez said Russell Moore suffered “several significant injuries” in the crash. His wife, Ginger Moore, was also injured.

Valdez said the couple had been coming to the airport several times over the last month to train on piloting a helicopter.

Tim Hornsby, who lives in the area, said he saw the crash.

“We just saw it come in sideways and it came over the house and then we heard a big ‘thump,’” Hornsby said.

Valdez said the secondary runway would be closed for the rest of the day so FAA could investigate the crash. He said the main runway is still open.

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