TWO people have died after a homemade gyrocopter crashed and caught fire.
Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook told reporters there was a crash at 10 a.m. Saturday in a private field near the Melrose, FloridaSurface.
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She said the pilot heroically diverted the plane to avoid crashing into a barn or house.
The helicopter was “severely mangled and badly burned,” she said.
During the collision, the homemade helicopter caught fire. However, it was later turned off.
Both victims were in the helicopter when the crash happened.
Eyewitness Alexis Kelly said: News4Jax she saw the crash happen.
“I was actually on my porch and I heard something like the engine stalling above me, and I looked up and I couldn’t really see, and I ran to the top of the road, and probably five seconds of tops it was going down, ‘ said Kelly.
“I never thought I would ever witness that.”
She added that her grandmother had called 911.
“She’s very upset,” she added, “I’m just still in shock.”
The identities of the victims have not yet been released.
An investigation led by Florida Roadside assistance continues.
It is not clear where the helicopter came from, but CBS News reported that authorities said it appeared to be homemade.