A man who saw the moments leading up to a deadly helicopter crash along Interstate 77 in south Charlotte Tuesday afternoon believes the pilot saved lives by taking a last-second maneuver to avoid crashing into the highway.
“My impression is that he apparently knew he was in trouble,” the man told WCNC Charlotte. “He circled looking for a place to put that down. And on the second circle, I don’t think he had any choice, it was going down, and he got it just off the highway and avoided it. That could’ve injured a lot of people. It’s a tragic thing, but in that sense, he did a marvelous job.”
The crash happened just before noon Tuesday. Multiple crews responded to the crash. Two people were pronounced dead on the scene of the crash, which was between Tyvola Road and Nations Ford Road on the southbound side of I-77. Charlotte-Mecklenburg police have blocked access to I-77 in the area of the crash. NCDOT estimated the road will reopen around midnight.
“I think he absolutely saved a lot of lives,” the man. “He absolutely knew he was going to have to put that down and he did his best to put it down … whoever the pilot was, did their best to put that down so it wouldn’t injure a lot of people.”
Heavy traffic is stacked up on the southbound lanes of I-77 between Tyvola Road and Nations Ford Road. WCNC Charlotte confirmed the helicopter is a 1999 R44 Robinson.
Multiple lanes of I-77 are blocked while crews respond to the crash. At least two lanes of southbound I-77 are shut down between Tyvola Road and Nations Ford Road. CMPD has closed multiple ramps onto I-77 near the crash. Drivers should avoid the area at this time.
Charlotte North Carolina Attractions and Activities
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Charlotte North Carolina Attractions and Activities
Located in North Carolina, Charlotte is a major city that boasts a plethora of attractions and activities. Charlotte has a mild climate, with summers that are a tad hot and humid, and winters that can be a bit rainy. It’s also home to several NASCAR teams and races.
If you’re into beer, Charlotte is home to several breweries. You’ll find local breweries, as well as breweries from other parts of the country. For example, the Heist Brewery in Charlotte is a Belgian style brewpub.
If you’re into food, Charlotte has a great restaurant scene. You can find Italian, Chinese, and Mexican restaurants. You can also find Middle Eastern cuisine. YAFO Kitchen offers delicious Mediterranean food. You can also find a great sushi restaurant, like Pisces Sushi.
One of the best Charlotte attractions is the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art. The museum has a massive collection of art, including works by Edgar Degas and Jasper Johns. The museum is open every day except Tuesday.
Another fun Charlotte attraction is the Funny Bus. This PG-13 rated attraction is a great way to see the city.
Other fun attractions include Discovery Place, which is a hands-on science and educational facility. It also features a butterfly pavilion, and an indoor rainforest. There are also special events like an Animal Meet and Greet, and a music festival.
Lastly, there’s the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The hall of fame is a great place to learn about auto racing. The museum features a number of exciting exhibits, including a racing simulator. It also features a number of priceless memorabilia.