A Huntington Beach police officer injured in a Saturday night helicopter crash in Newport Beach that killed a colleague was sent home from the hospital, the police department announced Sunday morning.
“He’s doing well, but there’s still a lot of recovery ahead,” said Huntington Beach police spokeswoman Jennifer Carey. “They are optimistic about his recovery.”
“We wanted to inform everyone that the second officer involved in last night’s crash has since been released from the hospital,” the department said on Facebook. “Thank you to our HB community & law enforcement family for the love & support you continue to show Officer Vella’s family & our Department.”
Huntington Beach police officer Nicholas Vella, 44, a 14-year veteran of the city’s police force, was killed in the crash. The department has not provided the name of the other officer.
This is clip @HBPoliceDept Officer Nick Vella shot for me when he and Mark Wersching took me for helicopter ride while covering a 2019 Veterans Day story. Nick’s on left controlling the camera. Condolences to all of Nick’s colleagues & loved ones. pic.twitter.com/FWeUV1Q8LL
— Chip Yost (@ChipYost) February 20, 2022
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Police have not said which of the two men, both certified pilots, was at the helm at the time.
The crash happened during calm wind conditions and dry weather. The National Transportation Safety Board and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Major Accident Reconstruction Team are investigating what made the helicopter plunge into the water.
The crash occurred at 6:34 p.m. near the shore between the Lido and Balboa peninsulas.
The Huntington Beach Police Department Air Support Unit serves that city as well as Newport Beach and Costa Mesa under contracts with those cities. The officers were responding to a disturbance call in Newport Beach at the time.
This is a developing story.
Source: Orange County Register
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