Wyoming copter crash kills rescuer, snowmobiler

JACKSON, Wyo. - Federal authorities on Thursday were investigating the crash of a search-and-rescue helicopter in northwest Wyoming that killed a crew member who was trying to help an injured snowmobiler who also died.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board were looking into Wednesday's crash of the Bell 407 helicopter in Wyoming's Teton County, said FAA spokesman Mike Fergus.

County sheriff's officials said the crew had reached the injured snowmobiler and his party and were taking off to get more help when the crash occurred.

The rescuer killed was identified as Ray Shriver, 63. The snowmobiler, Steven Anderson, 53, of Morris, Minn., also died.

The pilot and another rescuer were injured.

It went down on Togwotee Pass, about 50 miles northeast of Jackson.

The helicopter was built in 2008 and is registered to Hillsboro Aviation of Hillsboro, Wash. A company executive didn't immediately return a telephone call.

Sheriff's officials had said earlier that a failed rear rotor might have caused the crash.