By John Mangalonzo
The Hawk Eye
MEDIAPOLIS, Iowa — A MedForce helicopter out of Burlington was grounded late Monday night after it was struck by a Mediapolis Fire Department truck on its way to another accident.
Iowa State Patrol officials said the fire truck was at an accident at 11:17 p.m. on 260th Street and U.S. 61 about five miles north of Mediapolis. The helicopter had just landed south of 260th Street and was preparing to pick up a patient.
Fire crews received a call about another accident south of Mediapolis and drove south on the highway, in the process striking the rotor of the helicopter with one of its upper deck lights.
Authorities said the truck sustained minor damage while the helicopter, which was turned off, was disabled.
Des Moines County Sheriff’s officials summoned another helicopter to handle the patient of the original accident. They said the damaged helicopter remains on the scene until repairs can be made.
Information on the initial accident was not immediately known Tuesday morning.
Copyright 2009