Copter makes emergency landing on S. Side

By Dan P. Blake
Tribune staff reporter
Published June 30, 2006, 3:23 PM CDT

Four Chicago Fire Department members suffered minor injuries today when their helicopter made an emergency landing on the lakefront.

The aircraft, which was carrying two pilots and two department divers, encountered problems around noon and tried to make an emergency landing near 3900 S. Lake Shore Dr., department spokesman Kevin MacGregor said.

The all-male crew suffered minor injuries and was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital and Stroger Hospital of Cook County in good condition. Police spokeswoman Monique Bond said the crew walked away from the crash.

MacGregor said the chopper was responding to a person in need of help in the lake off North Avenue Beach.

The helicopter sustained significant damage and came to rest upside down. MacGregor said he did not know the cause of the accident, saying an investigation is underway.

Bond did not know what forced the emergency landing but said the chopper came down in an area that has been used as a landing spot for helicopters.

Police closed Lake Shore Drive between 34th and 47th Streets while emergency responders were on the scene, WGN-TV reported.

The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation, a NTSB spokeswoman said.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.