page1 of14 incident report - indiana gazetteepaper.indianagazette.com/docs/indiana borough...

5/1/2011 Indiana Borough Police Department

Description: Helicopter crash

Date Reported: 04/30/2011 20:36

Incident Report

Dayofthe Week: Saturday

Occurred (From): 04/30/2011 (to): 04/30/2011

Page1 of14

Location: 700 Klondyke Avenue

Area: 3RD WARD UNIVERSITY Jurisdiction: Indiana Borough PD

Comment:

Name, !D: Role: Dateffime Involved:

Officer Involved: Justin Schawl (JWS1 , Corporal) Investigating officr 04/30/2011 20:37

Reviewed By: Justin Schawl Date Reviewed: 05/01/2011

Current Status: Open

Associates

1) Bartosz B. Sobolewski Association: Occupant#1

DOB: -Mississauga Gender: Male Statement Taken: No

Race: White Interviewed: No

Employee: WorkPhone: 724 Occupation:

Comment: Sound Technic;ian for Campus PD film crew. Rear passenger, seated behind pilot

2) Gregory Jacobsen Association: Occupant #2

Gender: Statement Taken: No

Race: Interviewed: No

Employee: Work Phone: 724 Occupation:

Comment: Cameraman for Campus PO film crew, front seat passenger

3) Paul Haber Association: Occupant #3

PA 15701 Gender: Statement Taken: No

Race: Interviewed: No

Employee: Work Phone: 724 Occupation:

Comment: Director for Campus PD film crew, rear passenger seated behind Jacobsen

Informant PS

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Incident Report

Associates

4) Robert Dean Trent Association: Driver #1

5)

6)

7)

8)

Friedens, PA 15541

DOB:

Gender: Male

Race: White

Employee: Work Phone: 724

Comment: Pilot

THOMAS F. JOHNS

Employee:.

DOB:

Gender: Male

Race: White

Work Phone: 724

Comment: Property owner of 720/722 Kondyke Avenue

RICHARD PAUL BYERLY DOB: -Gender: Male Race: White

Employee: Work Phone: 724

Comment: 713 School Street

Keila Miller DOB: -Johsonburg, PA 15845 Gender: Female

Race: White

StatemenJ Taken: No

Interviewed: No

Occupation:

Association: PROPERTY OWNER

Statement Taken: No

Interviewed: No

Occupation:

Association: PROPERTY OWNER

Statement Taken: No Interviewed: No

Occupation:

Association: ROOMMATE

Statement Taken: No

Interviewed: No


Comment: Resident of 720 Klondyke Avenue. Recieved temporary shelter from Red Cross.

Association: ROOMMATE

.Denham Springs, LA 70726

DOB:

Gender: Male

Race: White

Statement Taken: No

Interviewed: No


Comment: Resident of 720 Klondyke Avenue. Recieved temporary shelter from Red Cross.

l11formant PS


Incident Report

Associates

9) Kris Mellinger DOB: -

Gender: Female

Race: White

E mployee: Work Phone: 724

Comment: Photographed crash site

Association: Witness

Statement Taken: No

Interviewed: No

Occupation:

Vehicles

1} Registration: N445AB Registration State: PA

Vehicle Type: Red 201 0 R44 II Other style vehicle

VIN: 10761

Vehicle Value: $ 0.00

ReportDate: 04/30/2011

Association: Unit #1

Supplements

1) In itial Report

Prepared By: Justin Schawl

Reviewed By: Justin Schawl

INITIAL COMPLAINT:

Date Reported: 05/01/2011

Date Reviewed: 05/01/2011

On April 30, 2011 I, Cpl. Justin Schawl, was employed with the Indiana Borough Police Department, was

dressed in full police uniform and was assigned to cruiser patrol in marked police unit 760-3. My duty

assignment was from 3pm to 11 pm.

On the above date at approximately 2030 hrs I was assisting Ptlm. Thomas Dessell and Ptlm. Eric Slovinsky

with a traffic stop in the 700 block of Locust Street. While on scene, i recieved a phone call from Paul Haber

to my personal cell phone. Haber was known to this officer as a producer of the Campus PD television series.

Campus PD has been filming IBPD officers since April 20, 2011. I had previous knowledge that Haber and a

crew were planning on taking arial video of Indiana on today's date at approximately 2000 hrs.

In speaking with Haber it was immediately apparent that he was flying during the phone call. I viewed a

helicopter in the air above Indiana Borough and could hear significant wind resistance while Haber was

talking. Haber asked if his crew could take video of a police cruiser traveling through town. As Ptlm.

Dessell's traffic stop was not in need of my assistance, I cleared the area to resume cruiser patrol.

From 700 Locust Street I proceeded north through the Pizza Hut parking lot, 300 South 7th Street, and

continued north in the 200 block of Rice Avenue. I initiated a right turn, traveling east, into the 700 block of

School Street. From School Street I initiated a left turn and began traveling north in the 100 block of South

7th Street until stopping at a steady red traffic control signal at Church Street.

While stopped, I heard several loud popping sounds to my south. I next heard the sound of a crash and could

no longer hear the helicopter traveling through the sky. Simultaneously, Ptlm. Dessell radioed that the

helicopter had crashed between my location and Rice Avenue.

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With the above information I immediately activated my emergency lights and siren and proceeded towards the

general area of the crash. While traveling, I viewed several pedestrians running towards the area of 700

Klondyke Avenue. I proceeded to this location and observed a red helicopter to be on the ground behind 713

School Street and beside 720/722 Klondyke Avenue.

The helicopter was observed to be on its nose with its tail in the air and resting against the back wall of 713

· School Street. There was significant damage to the passenger compartment of the helicopter and helicopter

fuel was leaking onto the ground.

INVESTIGATIVE DETAILS:

Upon exiting my cruiser, I immediately began ordering pedestrians away from the helicopter as I was

concerned of fire or explosion. While attempting to secure the scene I observed Bartosz Sobolewski climbing

from the wrecked helicopter. Sobolewski was known to this officer as a member of the Campus PO film crew.

Sobolewski exited the helicopter and was escorted to a place of saftey.

Upon the arrival of Ptlm. Dessell, Ptlm. Slovinsky and Ptlm. Jeffrey Hoag, all officers proceeded to the

helicopter in attempts of assessing the passengers. Three additional occupants were observed inside, all

appearing to have significant injury. Signs of life existed to all occupants at which time a decision was made

to begin removing occupants from the helicopter. This decision was made prior to EMS/Fire response due to

the immediate possibility of fire or explosion.

ACTIONS TAKEN:

Myself, Ptlm. Dessell, Ptlm. Slovinsky and Ptlm. Hoag first removed the helicopter pilot as he was in the front

and most readily accessible. This male was removed from his seatbelt and was lifted through the broken

front window of the helicopter. Once removed, officers carried this male to a safe location, placing him on the

ground. The pilot was later identfied as Robert Trent. All officers then returned to the helicopter in attempts

to remove the additional passengers.

Again at the helicopter, all officers began attempting to remove Gregory Jacobsen as he was also in the front

and most readily accessible. Ptlm. Slovinsky cut Jacobsen's seatbelt with a knife at which time all officers

lifted him through the broken front window of the helicopter. While being lifted, it was immediately apparent

that both of Jacobsens legs were broken at his knee's.

Assistant Fire Chief/IBPD Det. Scott Schuller arrived on scene with Citizens Ambulance Service during

Jacobsen's removal from the helicopter. Due to his obvious significant injury a decision was made to

immediately place him on an EMS backboard for medical transport. After placing Jacobsen on the

backboard, all officers again returned to the helicopter in attempts to remove the final victim.

The remaining helicopter occupant was Haber. He was pinned inside a rear seat of the helicopter and could

not be removed by officers. At this time a decision was made by Asst. Fire Chief Schuller that Haber would

be extricated by the Indiana Fire Department. All officers then removed themselves from the immediate area

of the helicopter at which time IFA and EMS began removing Haber.

All occupants of the helicopter were transported to the Indiana Regional Medical Center via Citizens

Ambulance. Sobolewski was later released from the IRMC ER with minor injuries. All other occupants were

transported via life flight to Allegheny General Hospital and Conamaugh Hospital.

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Supplements

RELATED INCIDENTS: None

CONCLUSION:

Several additional supplementals to be added by officers .... JWS

2) Ptlm. Dessell's Supplemental

Prepared By: Thomas Dessell


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On 04-30-2011 at 2015 hours I, Ptlm Dessell was dressed in full uniform and assigned to marked unit 760-5.

My duty assignment was routine patrol within Indiana Borough from 1500 hours to 2300 hours.

On this date and time I was conducting a traffic stop in the KFC/Pizza Hut parking lot (2011-00025561 ).

During the course of my traffic I observed a red helicopter flying over head which was recording this traffic

stop for Campus PD.

While speaking with the operators I observed the helicopter to be above the roof tops of many nearby

buildings just north of my location near Washington Street and Rice Avenue. The helicopter was observed to

begin to swing out towards South 7th Street.

At approximately 2040 hours I observed the helicopter began to wobble from side to side while in mid air.

From my vantage point I could hear the engine of the helicopter begin to make unusual sounds. I maintained

visual of the helicopter at which time I observed it drop towards the ground towards the 700 block of Klondyke

Avenue.

Upon observing this I immediately began to broadcast over the radio of my observations and proceeded north

to the location of the crash. Once in the 700 block of School Street I could see the tail end of the helicopter on

the north west side of 713 School Street along the 700 block of Klondyke Avenue. A large group of

pedestrians were observed around this building.

I proceeded towards the wreckage at which time I observed the helicopter to be occupied by three males. All

three were observed to be entrapped inside the mangled wreckage. The helicopter was observed to be

leaking fuel into the passenger compartment area.

Ptlm Slovinsky, Ptlm Hoag and I began to attempt to remove the passengers of the helicopter. Officers began

to cut the seat belts off the pilot in order to free him. After freeing the pilot from the wreckage officers quickly

carried him to a nearby parking lot away from the scene. Officers left the pilot in the care of several by

standers until other emergency personal arrived on scene.

Officers returned to the scene to try to remove the other occupants of the helicopter. Two additional

occupants were removed from the wreckage and quickly triaged by officers. All the occupants were observed

sustained major trauma.

Upon removing the two other passengers, Citizen Ambulance Service was already on scene and began to

tend care to the injured person. A fourth occupant was located outside the wreckage. It was determined from

bystanders that he crawled out of the damaged helicopter. This occupant was identified as Bart Sobolewski

and he was transported to IRMC ER for treatment.

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After the wreckage was clear I entered 713 School Street to clear out the building due to the helicopter leaking

fuel and resting on this structure. I did observe smoke coming out of apartment 8. This apartment was the

main area of concern due to the helicopter resting just outside its west window. I forced open the door and

verified that no one was inside the apartment.

I proceeded to 720 and 722 Klondyke Avenue to have the tenants evacuate. 720 Klondyke Avenue was

directly next to 713 School Street with the wreckage between these two structures.

After clearing the structures I began crowd control and crime scene duties ... TDD

3) Ptlm. Slovinsky's Supplemental

Prepared By: Eric Slovinsky

Reviewed By: Justin .Schawl



At 2040 hours on 04.30.11, I, Patrolman Slovinsky, was employed with the Indiana Borough Police

Department and working shift 8p-4a. I was assigned to cruiser patrol in marked police cruiser 760-1 and

working in full police uniform.

At that time I was assisting Ptlm Dessell with a traffic stop, complaint 2011 -00025561 , in the Pizza Hut/KFC

parking lot. During the traffic stop I observed a helicopter flying at a low level above the surrounding area. I

then observed the helicopter start spinning around in circles, what appeared to be out of control. I observed

the helicopter to be north of our location at the Pizza Hut/KFC parking lot. The helicopter then started to go

down and went out of view behind buildings to the north.

Ptlm Dessell then yelled to me that the helicopter went down. We cleared from the traffic stop quickly and got

into our cruisers. I traveled north on South 7th Street to School Street where I turned onto the 700 block of

Washington Street. I then went to Rice Avenue and traveled north to School Street where I parked my cruiser

in a parking lot in the 700 block. I then got out on foot and ran northbound. I observed the helicopter to be in

the 700 block of Klondyke Avenue next to 720 Klondyke Avenue on the southern side up against the rear of

713 School Street.

I observed there to be fuel spilling out onto the ground and observed individuals trapped inside. Upon

approaching it I observed three individuals trapped and yelling for help. Ptlm Hoag, Ptlm Dessell and I then

began attempting to remove the individuals. I observed the helicopter to be laying on its side. I then identified

two of the passengers as Paul LNU and Greg LNU from Campus PD film crew. The third individual was

observed to be the pilot. I observed the pilot to be at the front of the helicopter on the top side.

I then started cutting seatbelts attempting to remove the pilot. Myself and Ptlm Haag were able to cut the pilot

free and pull him out of the helicopter. We then drug him out of the immediate area of the helicopter. Ptlm

Hoag and I then returned to the helicopter to attempt to remove the other two individuals. I observed the rear

passenger to be Paul LNU. I observed him to be trapped below the side of the helicopter which was crushed

down on top of him. I attempted to cut seatbelts and other cords which were preventing him from moving. I

was unable to free him from the wreckage. I then went to assist Ptlm Haag at the front of the helicopter with

the front seat passenger, Greg LNU. I was able to cut and remove the seatbelt harness which was wrapped

around the lower half of his body. We were able to remove him from the wreckage. At that time a medic unit

was on scene and provided us with a back board to load Greg on to. We placed Greg on the back board and

moved him south onto a cement ledge away from the wreckage. IFA was now on scene removing Paul from

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the wreckage. I stayed with Greg until a medic unit was able to remove him.

Next I assisted Ptlm Dessell and Tpr. Greene with putting up crime scene tape around the perimeter of the

scene. We perimetered off the entire surrounding area from South 7th Street to School Street on the

southern side of the roadway then north to the rear of the buildings in the 700 block of Church Street. We had

to disburse numerous pedestrians that refused to leave the area. Pedestrians were attempting to go on the

other side of the crime scene tape which created a great hazard. I observed large gatherings at all

surrounding locations of the wreckage.

After disbursing the immediate crowd I was stopped by the medics who advised me that I need to clean my

arms off. They advised my arms were contaminated with blood from the victims and that I also had cuts on

my arms from pulling them out. They then cleaned my arms off and advised me that I needed to go to IRMC

ER to clean them further. I observed an approx. 3 inch cut on my left forearm and a small cut on my left

pinky. I also observed small scrapes and cuts on my upper arm and lower arm. I then went to IRMC ER by

cruiser to get treated. I was treated by a nurse who washed out my cuts with iodine and cleaned the victim's

blood off of me. The nurse then treated and wrapped my left forearm ... .. EJS

4) Ptlm. Hoag's Supplemental

PreparedBy: Jeffrey Hoag




On 4/30/2011 at approximately 2040 hours, I Ptlm Hoag responded to the area of the 700 block of Klondyke

relative to a helicopter crash.

Upon arrival on scene I observed the helicopter crash at the rear of 713 School Street and 720 Klondyke

Avenue. It appeared as if the nose of the helicopter was the point of impact with the ground. I also observed

what appeared to be the, helicopter blade on the roof of 720 Klondyke Avenue

I did locate a victim from the crash sitting in an adjacent parking lot north of the 700 block of Klondyke

Avenue. At the time of this report his name is unknown to this officer. I did recognize him as a camera crew

member from Campus PD. I observed a large laceration to his head. It appeared as if the victim had walked

away from the crash scene. The male advised me that there was four people total inside the helicopter.

While attempting to speak to the crash victim a large crowd was huddled around him. I ordered all members

of the crowd away from the victim.

Ptlm Dessefl, Ptlm Slovinsky, and myself approached the helicopter and began attempting to extricate the

victims inside. While extricating the victims from the crash fuel from the vehicle was spilling on the ground.

Each victim was stuck inside the helicopter and had to be freed by cutting seat belts and pulling parts of the

helicopter away from them. The first victim extricated from the crash was the helicopter pilot. Officers did pull

him away from the crash and into the rear parking lot of 716 Church Street. Officers then returned to the

crash scene to continue extricating victims.

The second victim extricated from the crash was Greg LNU. Greg was a crew member of Campus PD.

While attempting to extricate Greg from the helicopter a medic unit arrived on scene with a back board. Greg

was able to be pulled from the crash between the buildings of 713 School Street and 720 Klondyke Avenue by

use of the back board. Greg was loaded onto a stretcher and transported away from the scene via medic

unit.

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After the second victim was extricated from the crash officers attempted to free the third victim but he was

totally concealed inside the helicopter wreckage. IFA then took over extrication efforts of the final victim.

After extrication of the victims I then assisted in crowd control and with securing the crime scene with yellow

tape.

I was then assigned by Cpl Schawl with beginning a crime scene log of the scene. The crime scene log was

begun at 2113 hours and was completed by this officer at 2245 hours. Ptlm Dessell did assist me in the

recording the civilian vehicles parked inside the crime scene. Details of the crime scene log will be contained

in an additional supplement...jmh

5) Manpower Requests

PreparedBy: Justin Schawl




As a result of the helicopter crash, requests were made by this officer for immediate assistance. My request

was placed through Indiana County 911 and the following agencies/officers responded to the scene:

Citizens Ambulance Service

Indiana Fire Department

Pennsylvania State Police

IUP Police Department Indiana County Sheriffs Department

Blairsville Borough Police Department

Indiana County Emergency Management

Civil Air Patrol

A callout was conducted for any available IBPD officers to arrive for duty. The following officers responded for

duty: Chief William Sutton, Sgt. William Vojtek, Cpl. Wesley Hite, Cpl. Jeffrey Atherton, PFC. Robert

Simpson, Det. John Scherf, Det. Michael Rhoades, Ptlm. Zachary Stiffler and Ptlm. Joshua Henning.

6) Crash Scene Assignments




Date Reviewed: 05101/2011

The following assignments were delegated during the on-scene investigation:

Cpl. Justin Schawl - Incident Command

Cpl. Wesley Hite - Public Information Officer, assigned to Command Center at IBPD

Cpl. Jeffrey Atherton - Patrol supervisor

Det. Michael Rhoades - Crash photography, scene investigation and interview of helicopter passenger

Ptlm. Jeffrey Hoag- Crash scene log, crash scene sketch and conducted a grid search for additional

evidence. Ptlm. Slovinsky- Sent to IRMC ER for treatment of injury, later conducted perimeter security and grid search

for additional evidence.

Ptlm. Dessell - Created a defined crash scene with crime scene tape, perimeter security, hospital liason and

grid search for additional evidence.

Ptlm. Henning - Perimeter security

PFC. Simpson - Perimeter security and Civil Air Patrol security

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Det. Scherf- Patrol function, perimeter security and Civil Air Patrol security

Ptlm. Stiffler- Patrol function

PFC. Raglani - Perimeter security

PSP- Perimeter security

IUP PD - Perimeter security

Indiana County Sheriffs Department - Perimeter security

Blairsville Borough Police Department - Perimeter security

Civil Air Patrol - Helicopter security

7) Crowd Control


Reviewed By: Justin Sctiawl



On 04-30-2011 I was in the area of the 700 block of Klondyke Avenue assisting with crowd control in the area.

At the time of this helicopter crash, there were well 300 people surrounding the scene. Officers began to

attempt to clear the area for their safety as well as the integrity of the crime scene.

Officers from IBPD and IUP as well as Indiana PSP began to clear the area of the 700 block of School Street,

the 700 block of Klondyke Avenue, 1 00 South 7th Street and 100 South 8th Street. During the course of

attempting to clear the area, numerous people refused and had to be removed by officers. During one such

incident (2011-00025613) a male was taken into custody because he refused to leave the area after being

told numerous times.

Once the area was cleared out Trooper Ralph Green, Deputy Chris Rearick, Ptlm Slovinsky and I began to

place crime scene tape up around the site of the plane crash. The areas mentioned above were cordon off so

to restrict pedestrian access.

Additional man power arrived from the Indiana County Sheriffs Department, IUP Police Department,

Blairsville PO and assisted in crowd control of the area .. .. TDD

8) Crash Scene log

Prepared By: Jeffrey Hoag


Crime Scene Log begun at 2113 hours

Emergency vehicles on scene:

CAS Medic 1 700 Klondyke North Lot

IFA 102 700 Klondyke Mid block

Fire Chief Kelly's Vehicle Rear of 716 Church Street

Det Schuller's Vehicle Rear of 716 Church Street

Medic 4 700 Klondyke Roadway

IBPD 760-5 713 School Street Parking Lot

lFA 106 700 School Street

IFA 108 700 School Street

PSP 9 700 School Street



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IUP Ford Explorer at School and South 8th Street

2117 Hours- Last victim extricated from helicopter

Civilian vehicles (All vehicles unless otherwise noted were registered in Pennsylvania)

Parking lot of 716 Church Street Rear:

HMS1791- Tan GMC Jimmy

GPY6367- Black Chevrolet Cobalt

GYX6600- Tan Chevrolet Cavalier

HMJ5054- Red Pontiac Sunfire

Parking lot of 713 School Street:

GFY3823- Blue Chrysler Sebring

FY A5359- Red Ford Escort

DKJ3034- Silver Ford Taurus

MD REG# 5ELX31- Black Hyundai Accent

HJY2556 Silver Jeep Grand Cherokee

GJE0813 Red Pontiac Fiero

GSY 4289- Purple Ford Taurus

733 School Street: GVG8871- Black Subaru RS

GPM9342- Gold Ford Escort

HDK7886- Yellow Jeep Wrangler

700 School Street- Roadway:

YFD9676- Black Ford F-150

HLA 8972- Maroon Saturn GPM9342- Gold Ford Escort

Rear of 720/722 Klondyke Avenue

HMF9893- White Subaru GJP9271- Silver Acura RSX

HGP4861- Yellow Dodge Neon

DE REG# 181653- Black Pontiac G5

DA26G4- Silver Honda Civic

HPV9321- Silver Honda CX

FVF7063- Green Honda Accord

EYZ5932- Black Honda CRV

FPT3197- Red Honda Civic

GBN6887- Blue Pontiac GT

DBS8024- Blue Chevrolet Cavalier

GGZ9768- Black Toyota Highlander

EGL8361- Silver Chrysler Concorde

GWH2008 Black Honda Civic

YRK 6986- Red Ford F-150

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FPW3628- Silver Jeep Cherokee

121 South 8th Street Apt B:

FRW6505- Red Jeep Cherokee

HSW7210- Red Ford Focus

127 South 8th Street:

GWH7950- Black Volkswagen

GMF5732- Silver Accura Integra GTR 4583- Purple Chevrolet Impala

GWT9711- Black Jeep Wrangler

725 School Street:

GSD1329- Black Chevrolet Cavalier

HBN6219- White Ford Focus DA81 K5- Black Mercury Mariner

HL Y1325- Blue Honda CR-V HST6385- Grey Ford Focus

Incident Report

2203 Hours: PSP Units Clearing from Scene

2204: IFA 106 Clear from 700 School Street

2117: Final victim extricated from crash

2225: Detective Schuller begun taking photograplis of accident scene

2234: Councilman Simmons on scene

2245: End of log by this officer .. . jmh

9) Press Release



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The following Press Release was created by this officer and was approved for release by EMA liason Don

Palmer. A press conference was held by Cpl. Hite at the Indiana Borough Police Department at which time

the statement was released.

The Indiana Borough Police Department is reporting that a helicopter occupied by 4 individuals has crashed in

the area of South 7th Street and Klondyke Avenue within Indiana Borough. All helicopter occupants have

been transported to local hospitals. No pedestrians were injured in the crash. Several state, local and county

agencies responded to the scene. An FAA investigation will be conducted. The Indiana Borough Police and

Civil Air Patrol are conducting scene security. No further details are being released at this time.

This statement was also faxed to all media outlets per Cpl. Hite .... JWS

1 0) Press Release Delivered




Date Reviewed: 05/01 /2011

Informant PS

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Cpl Schawl provided me with a general news release for this incident and requested that I deliver it to Cpl Hite

who was at the Police Station. I delivered the news release and Cpl Hite requested that I type it out and then

he will disburse it. I did type out the news release and then gave it to Cpl Hite .... EJS

11) Hospital Update





After completing my crowd control duties, I was tasked by Cpl Schawl to respond to the Indiana Regional

Medical Center ER to check the status of the individuals.

Once at IRMC ER I spoke with the ER staff. I was advised that three of the injured persons were transferred

to other facilities. The fourth occupant, Bart Sobolewski was treated and released. This victim sustained facial

injuries.

The three other victims were identified as Robert Trent (pilot), Paul Haber and Greg Jacobsen. Trent was

flown to Allegheny General Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA with life threatening injuries. Haber and Jacobsen were

both flown to Conemaugh Memorial Hospital in Johnstown, PA. Both were to be in critical condition when they

left IRMC.

At 0035 hours contact to Allegheny General Hospital was made regarding the condition of Jacbonsen. I was

advised that he is currently in surgery with no other information being provided .... TDD

12) FAA preliminary investigation





Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigators Dean Glasser and Gary Ankney arrived at the helicopter

crash site to conduct a preliminary investigation. During the course of their investigation several pieces of

evidence were seized.

Ankney and Glasser later met with this officer and informed the following: IBPD has no additional

responsibility to the crash site, investigation or helicopter. Civil Air Patrol will be guarding the helicopter at the

request of FAA and do not require IBPD assistance. Further investigation will be conducted by FAA in the AM

hours. IBPD will be notified upon their return.

Ankney and Glasser were provided with a copy of Bartosz Sobolewski's written statement that he provided to

Ptlm. Rhoades during an interview. They were also provided with the names of all helicopter passengers.

Ankney and Glasser provided this officer with a photocopy of the aircraft registration. The aircraft was found

to be manufactured by Robinson Helicopter Company. The Nationality and Registration Marks were N445AB.

The aircraft serial number is 10761. The ICAO Aircraft address code is 51256462. The aircraft registration

was issued to Penn Helicopter LLC, 1788 Stoystown Road, Friedens, Pa 15541-7404. The registration was

issued June 11 , 2010.

Ankney and Glasser cleared the station at approximately 0330 hrs .. .. JWS

13) Property Damage

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The apartment complex of 713 School Street sustained significant damage as a result of this crash. The

property is managed by Richard Byerly who was on scene. Damage consisted of a hole in the roof and a hole

in the west side 3rd floor exterior wall. The damage was confined to Apartment 8 of this building.

The duplex of 720/722 School Street sustained damage as a result of this crash. The property is owned by

Thomas Johns who was on scene. Damage consisted of a hole in the roof. Helicopter debris was also stuck

to the roof area.

All students residing in these locations will not be permitted to return until further instruction. Most residents

agreed to find alternative housing and did not request the assistance of RedCross. Keila Miller and Ryan

Miracle, residents of 720 Klondyke Avenue, requested assistance of RedCross and were provided with

temporary shelter ... JWS

14} Third party scene photography





Citizens Ambulance Medic, Kris Mellinger, identified herself on scene as a photographer who was employed

with Renda Broadcasting and FireRescue Television. She offered her assistance with professional

photography at the scene. With her background, Mellinger was asked to assist in the crash photography.

Mellinger informed that she photographed the entire scene and would provide a CD copy of her photographs

to this department by Monday, May 2, 2011. All pertinent information was obtained by Mellinger and she was

asked not to share her photography with any media outlet without prior approval to which she agreed .... JWS

15) 793 Injured officer report





I completed an injured officer report for the injuries I sustained during this incident and provided it to Cpl

Schawi.. .. EJS

16) Perimeter control

Prepared By: Robert Simpson

Reviewed By: Wesley Hite



Upon my arrival from the callout for this incident I was assigned a perimeter at Klondyke and 7th Street. I

maintained that perimeter from approximately 0930 through 0130. During that time no one was permitted to

cross the perimeter which was originally set on the west side of 7th Street. The perimeter was expanded

once manpower from PSP and Indiana County Sheriff's Department left the area. The perimeter was then set

to keep all persons from the east sidewalk on 7th Street, pedestrians on the east sidewalk of 7th Street. The

roadway was eventually open and no one was then permitted onto Klondyke Avenue at 7th Street.

Upon arrival of the CAP my perimeter was then manned by member of that organization. Myself and Detective

Scherf provided security for the CAP from approximately 0130 until 0400 when our service was no longer

required .

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17) aircraft removed

Prepared By: Wesley Hite

Reviewed By: Wesley Hite

Indiana Borough Police Department

Incident Report

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5/1/11 - Helicopter removed by Mohney's towing, using a boom truck and flat bed. It was taken by police and

fire escort to the Jimmy Stewart airport. Spoke with Bart Sovolewski, who had walked away from this

accident, his cell phone and i-pod were recovered by IFA and given to him. He asked about a set of keys

and the cameras that were on board, the keys were not located, .the cameras were removed by the FAA

investigator earlier this morning ..... ./1/wrh

18) Injury Update - NO PUBLIC RELEASE





**************NOT F 0 R PUB Ll C RE LEAS E******************CO N FIDE NTIAL *****************************N 0 T

FOR PUBLIC RELEASE***-**""********************

On May 1, 2011 I, Cpl. Justin Schawl, recieved a phone call from Holly Haber, wife of Paul Haber. She

informed that Paul has been upgraded from Critical Condition to Stable Condition, but remains in the intensive

care unit. Paul suffered several broken bones and a punctured diaphram. He is expected to be released in

10 days from Conemaugh Hospital.

Haber advised that Greg Jacobsen remains in intensive care with several broken bones, a punctured

diaphram and other issues. She has not been permitted to see or speak with him, but has been given the

impression that he is expected to survive.

No injury update was available for the pilot.

This information is not for public release and should not be disseminated .... JWS

19) CD w/Scene Photographs Recieved





On May 1, 2011 I, Cpl. Justin Schawl, recieved a CD with still photographs taken by Kris Mellinger of the

crash site .... JWS

Informant PS

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