Medical helicopter carrying 3 people crashes in eastern New Mexico

7/17/2014

NEWKIRK, N.M. — Authorities say a medical helicopter has crashed in eastern New Mexico.

The Federal Aviation Administration said the helicopter disappeared from radar early Thursday morning and went down around 20 miles east of Santa Rosa. Officials say a rancher found the wreckage after hearing a noise just before 3 a.m. The conditions of the three people on board are not known.

FAA authorities say the helicopter crashed in rough terrain and the cause is unknown.

Officials say the CareFirst flight was out of Santa Fe and was scheduled to pick up a patient in Tucumcari.