Wyoming copter crash kills rescuer and snowmobiler


February 16, 2012 at 1:12p.m.

Wyoming copter crash kills rescuer and snowmobiler

JACKSON, Wyo. (AP) — Authorities in Wyoming say a failed rear rotor might have caused a search-and-rescue helicopter to crash, killing one of the crew members attempting to help an injured snowmobiler, who also died.

Teton County sheriff’s officials say the chopper had reached the snowmobiler, 53-year-old Steven Anderson of Morris, Minn., and his party but was leaving to get more help when it crashed Wednesday.

It went down on Togwotee Pass in northwest Wyoming, about 50 miles northeast of Jackson.

The rescuer killed was 63-year-old Ray Shriver. The pilot and another rescuer were injured.