A damaged powerline following the helicopter collision, (Dawson Public Power District, Courtesy)
LEXINGTON — On Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2024 at approximately 6:05 p.m. The Dawson County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a downed aircraft near road 755 and the Platte River.
The Dawson County Sheriff’s Office responded, along with Dawson County Emergency management, Lexington Fire and rescue, Dawson Public Power, Nebraska State Patrol, Nebraska Department of Transportation.
The aircraft was a helicopter that was spraying a herbicide in the Platte river for vegetation control. The helicopter was owned by Provine Helicopters located in Greenwood, Miss.
The helicopter struck Dawson Public Power transmission lines resulting in the lines falling across the interstate. The interstate was then closed from mile marker 222 to mile marker 237 in both directions. Dawson Public Power responded and cleared their lines from Interstate 80. There was a loss of electric service in the area for a short period of time.
Lexington Fire and rescue responded to the scene and transported the pilot to Lexington Regional Hospital to be treated for injuries sustained in the crash. The name of the pilot is not being released at this time.
The FAA and NTSB were notified
The Dawson County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank the Cozad Police Department, Lexington Police Department and the Nebraska State Patrol for providing traffic control during this incident.
Sheriff Mark Montgomery
Brian Woldt/ Dawson County Emergency Managment
