Three individuals who tragically lost their lives in a mid-air helicopter crash in Riverside County on Sunday night have been identified. In a statement released on Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom named the victims as CAL FIRE Assistant Chief Josh Bischof, CAL FIRE Fire Captain Tim Rodriguez, and contract Pilot Tony Sousa.
Gov. Newsom expressed heartfelt sympathies to the friends, loved ones, and colleagues of Bischof, Rodriguez, and Sousa at CAL FIRE. “This terrible tragedy is a reminder of the dangers our courageous firefighters face daily while working to keep our communities safe. We owe them our deepest respect and gratitude and will always honor their bravery and sacrifices,” Newsom stated. He also ordered flags at the State Capitol and Capitol Annex Swing Space to be flown at half-staff.
The fatal crash occurred around 7:30 p.m. in a remote area near Pipeline Road and Apache Trail, according to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department. While one helicopter was able to land safely without any injuries, the second crashed, claiming the lives of all onboard.
The collision sparked a four-acre brush fire, which was subsequently extinguished. At the time of the crash, fire crews were addressing a 20-acre fire known as the Broadway Fire that had spread from a structure fire near Broadway Street and Esperanza Avenue earlier that evening.
The National Transportation Safety Board will oversee the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash. Such devastating incidents emphasize the inherent risks faced by those dedicated to protecting our communities and the heroic sacrifices they make in the line of duty.