Three days ago, two medical helicopters collided in Flagstaff, Arizona, killing six people and seriously injuring another. According to the authorities, the crash happened close to 3:45 p.m. PDT (2245 GMT) while the two helicopters were heading to a medical facility.

The survivor of the crash, James Taylor, 36 years old, is currently in critical condition at the Flagstaff hospital.

One of the aircrafts was operated by Air Methods Corp and the other by Classic Helicopter in Utah, one coming from the Grand Canion and the other from Winslow. At this point the investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board are carefully investigating the scene, analyzing the pieces and taking photos in order to determine the cause of the crash. There is also a video tape of the crash, recorded by a surveillance camera from a hospital parking lot, but the tape needs some technical work in order to fully view the images captured.

Sergeant Tom Boughner talked to Reuters about the horrible accident, explaining that the crash, which happened on a hillside covered with pines, lead to a huge fire spread on about 5 hectares. Fortunately, the fire crews promptly intervened and successfully contained the flames.

More than 750 medical helicopters are currently operational throughout the United States and this weekend’s event is just the latest in a long line of incidents. The authorities are looking into ways of setting some high and carefully chosen safety standards in order to avoid such happenings from occurring.

In a similar turn of events, four people were killed last year in Arizona, when two news television helicopters collided while covering a car chase incident.