Soldier dies in Ovar after being hit by a helicopter tire. Air Force opens investigation
A 25-year-old soldier died today at the Maceda air base, in Ovar, district of Aveiro, after being hit by a tire from a moving helicopter, a source from the Esmoriz Fire Department told Lusa.
The accident occurred at 2:26 pm when the soldier from that base was hit in the chest by the helicopter that was being towed, the source added, highlighting that the impact “caused his rib cage to fracture, putting him into cardiorespiratory arrest.”
The death was confirmed later, but, at 5:20 pm, the body was waiting at the air base for transport to the Institute of Legal Medicine at the Santa Maria da Feira Hospital.
The Air Force lamented the soldier’s death and announced that it will open an investigation process to determine the causes.
“It is with an enormous feeling of consternation that the Air Force announces that today, at 2:15 p.m., an Air Force soldier passed away following an accident that occurred at Air Base No. 8, in Ovar. The Air Force expresses its deepest condolences to family, comrades and friends, in this moment of pain providing all psychological support”, reads a statement from the branch.
The Air Force adds that “in order to determine the causes of the accident” an investigation process will be opened.
To Lusa, the Air Force spokesperson detailed that the accident in question occurred on duty but not on an aircraft, and that it is not related to the fires affecting several areas in the north and center of the country.
A source from the Esmoriz Fire Department told Lusa today that a 25-year-old soldier died today at the Maceda air base, in Ovar, after being hit by a tire from a moving helicopter.
[Notícia atualizada às 18h46]
