Tragedy struck in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, on Thursday afternoon, as a helicopter crash claimed the lives of two people. Carbon County Coroner Mark K. Smith released the identities of the victims, confirming 52-year-old Jeffrey Patmore of Terrace, British Columbia, as the pilot, and 40-year-old lineman Michael Higgins from Haddon Township, New Jersey. The incident occurred near Penn’s Peak on the 300 block of Maury Road around 3:15 p.m., as the two men were performing line work on behalf of PPL Electric Utilities, according to TN Online.
Rescuers were dispatched to the woods near Jim Thorpe shortly after 3 p.m., following reports of a helicopter crash near the power lines. Unfortunately, they could only declare Patmore and Higgins dead at the scene by around 3:30 p.m. The helicopter, identified as a Hughes 369D, was being operated by a subcontractor hired to work on PPL Electric Utilities' system when the crash occurred. NBC affiliate WBRE reported the make and model of the aircraft involved.
An investigation to thoroughly understand the catalyst behind this fatal incident is still ongoing. To date, officials have yet to pinpoint the exact cause of this catastrophe. Autopsies were reportedly scheduled yesterday, as disclosed by FOX 29, to possibly provide further insights into the crash.
As the local community grapples with this sudden loss, outpourings of condolences have emerged for the families of the two men who have unexpectedly found to suddenly be navigating the murky waters of grief. PPL Electric Utilities conveyed their statement saying the crash happened "while a third-party contractor was conducting work on our system," as FOX 29 reported.
