Helicopter Crashes At Mich. Hospital

2 Aboard Escape Unharmed After Crash On Grand Rapids Hospital Roof; Patients Evacuated

(CBS/AP)  A helicopter whose pilot was practicing approaches crashed on the roof of a hospital Thursday, catching fire moments after the two people on board escaped unharmed, a fire official said.

No patients were aboard the helicopter in the crash around 11 a.m. at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital, Fire Chief John VanSolkema said. The chopper landed on its side and caught fire, he said.

The crash sent thick, black smoke over downtown and forced the evacuation of patients from the building.

Elizabeth Isham Cory, a spokeswoman for the FAA in Chicago, said the helicopter was practicing approaches. The FAA was investigating and the National Transportation Safety Board may investigate, Cory said.

Patients were being transported to other area hospitals, and employees were taken to Grand Rapids Community College due to fears fuel may have leaked into the hospital, police said.

Emergency crews have brought the fire under control and are now trying to clean up spilled fuel, reports CBS affiliate WMMT-3 in Grand Rapids.

Lynda Ignatoski, who was standing outside the Towers Medical building on the Spectrum Health campus, told The Grand Rapids Press she saw the helicopter's tail hit a radio tower on the hospital's roof.

Ignatoski said the helicopter spun around and debris flew everywhere. She said the helicopter hit the roof and exploded in flames.

American Red Cross spokeswoman Caroline Clunk said volunteers were setting up canteens to assist evacuees, firefighters and other rescue workers.

Spectrum Health Butterworth, located in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, is part of the largest campus of Spectrum Health, which is a nonprofit health care system based in western Michigan.

Butterworth Hospital is the only Level 1 trauma center for the most serious patients in western Michigan.

[haoli25]

How convenient. They will still probably be charged for an ambulance ride.

gopsoccermom, you are a complete and utter moron for that comment. You must be one of those fat and disgusting pigs who sits in front of a computer all day because no one wants to even see you.....SLOB!!

[bks59]

gopsoccermom, if there were a god you would have been on the chopper. your hateful diatribe is most disgustusting and i feel very sad for the children you infect with self rightoues bigotry.

[rf35]

Spectrum Health Butterworth...so they sell the syrup to make you fat and clog your arteries, then get paid to treat you? LOL!

I suppose if you''re going to crash, where better than at a hospital?

[michigurl]

Don''t be ridiculous, it''s not named after a syrup, nor does it have anything to do with that Butterworth, it''s actually a well respected hospital in this area.

[enlightenu]

See? Gay marriage is affecting us already. God swatted down a helicopter in his anger.

Posted by gopsoccermom at 12:16 PM : May 29, 2008

I read that as a misguided attempt at humor. Or you''re the victim of your own sarcasm.

[ov442]

Industrialist Richard E. Butterworth, a member of St. Mark''s, recognized the need for expansion. In 1887, he offered a site on the corner of Michigan Street and Bostwick Avenue for a new hospital. Although he did not live to see the development of the new facility, he bequest an additional $30,000 to the Home and Hospital to ensure its completion. On April 26, 1890, the hospital opened its doors. In 1894, the hospital was renamed Butterworth Hospital in honor of its benefactor.

Richard Butterworth left the hospital a legacy of caring and compassion that was continued by his descendants. Butterworth''s grandson, Edward Lowe, and his wife, Susan (a Blodgett, the family that created Blodgett Memorial Hospital) served on the administrative board and made numerous contributions, culminating in the gift of a new modern hospital in the 1920s.

This hospital complex is one of the top facilities in the nation. It also has nationally acclaimed Devos Children''s Hospital and the Meijer Heart Center in its complex, as well as the Spectrum Birth center specializing in complex birth issues.

[ov442]

Clinical Achievements:
1919: Intern program is established.

1938: Eighth hospital in the U.S. to obtain a deep radiation therapy unit.

1952: First hospital in West Michigan to own a defibrillator.

1956: Cobalt therapy is introduced to West Michigan for the treatment of cancer.

1958: Cardiac catheterization lab is opened.

1959: First hospital in the country to offer outpatient surgery. Heart surgery program is established.

1970: Cobalt therapy unit is replaced with a linear accelerator, the first in the state.

1973: First neonatal unit in West Michigan is established.

1976: Full accreditation as a Continuing Medical Education Center is received.

1977: Emergency medicine residency is established.

1982: First hyperbaric oxygen chamber in Grand Rapids is opened.

1985: Designated by the state as service area''s only Level 3 Neonatal Referral Center.

1990: The first laser center in West Michigan and the West Michigan Stone Center are opened.

1991: The American College of Surgeons verifies Level 1 Trauma Center.

1993: Formalized as a tertiary referral center for 13 counties in cardiology, cardiovascular surgery, high-risk obstetrics, microsurgery, neonatology, oncology and trauma.
.....
Butterworth Hospital is home to the only Level 1 Trauma Center in West Michigan. To be classified as a Level 1 Trauma Center, a hospital must meet strict national standards for staffing, technology and expertise in treating even the most severe injuries.

[jennasmith2]

Proof that practice does not make perfect!

[usbrit-2009]

gopsoccermom is a liberal with a sharp eye for the more absurd side of the right wing.

[sistatee-2009]

The helipad used to be located on the ground near the hospital. After this, they may want to consider moving it back there.

[rf35]

I thought my humor was more obvious that GOPSoccerMom''s, but I guess not. The LOL should have given it away.

(She WAS kidding, right?)

[sosickofthis]

jennasmith2 can i have ur email address..

[tprofitt18-2009]

Wily tilty zen lassioforce

[magoo2u1]

"Don''''t be ridiculous, it''''s not named after a syrup, nor does it have anything to do with that Butterworth, it''''s actually a well respected hospital in this area. "

But , still, you can''t say the name without thinking of pancakes. Admit it, it''s true. And two links of sausage. mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

[martublade]

http://niconotnow.blogspot.com/