GORDON COUNTY, Ga. — A helicopter crashed in Calhoun Tuesday evening, according to the Calhoun Police Department. The aircraft had four people on board at the time, including two children, said the local chief of police.
The Calhoun Police Department responded to a helicopter crash near El Nopal Restaurant off of Highway 53 at approximately 4:50 p.m., according to Calhoun Chief of Police Tony Pyle.
The pilot, Ray Dobbs, told authorities that the helicopter was jostled by strong winds while attempting to lift off from a field near the restaurant, according to Pyle. The helicopter then struck a power line, momentarily knocking out power in the area, before crashing into a building.
Witnesses like Jay Cook were eating at the restaurant nearby when it happened and quickly took action.
"Took off running over here and then all the guys, the waiters, cook staff, everybody just jumped up and we came over here and was able to help the people out of the helicopter." Cook told 11Alive.
After getting the three passengers free, a father and his two children, they started assisting the pilot.
"We had to cut the seatbelt to get him out and lift him up a little bit." Cook said. "He's an older gentleman and wasn't able to get out the top."
While the passengers were uninjured, the pilot suffered minor injuries and was transported to a local hospital. According to the chief of police, one of the children aboard was riding in the helicopter to celebrate their birthday.
"There's always something you can do to help." Cook said. "If it hadn't been for all the other people that showed up, we wouldn't have been able to get him out until the police got here."
No one has been charged at this time.
The Federal Aviation Administration will lead an investigation into the incident.