A U.S. Forest Service (USFS) helicopter fire crew of eight were involved in a vehicle accident on October 1, 2007 at 9:45 a.m. The crew was from the USFS’s San Bernardino National Forest Helitack Crew stationed at the Heaps Peak heliport. While driving east on Hwy. 18 in the “Arctic Circle” area about a half-mile west of the Big Bear Dam, the crew carrier went through a guardrail and plunged about 400 feet before coming to rest.

Six crewmembers were treated for minor injuries. Two other crewmembers received moderate injuries and are expected to make a full recovery.

The cause of the accident is under investigation.

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