Kansas City Police helicopter makes emergency landing
KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -
The Kansas City Police Department’s helicopter made an emergency landing Wednesday night.
Police say the helicopter landed just before 8:30 p.m. on the intersection of Independence and Elmwood avenues.
KCTV5 spoke to a couple of young girls who were just getting out of church when they saw the helicopter up above.
"I was so scared," said Melanie Valdes, 13. "I thought it was going to hit the church; like fall on us. I was really scared. But when they told us no one was injured, we were like, all relieved and fine."
"They say that it was surprising because it didn't get any wires," said Jimena Ponce, 12. "And no one was hurt."
The pilots landed the helicopter upright. Police said a mechanical problem with the helicopter forced the emergency landing.
The intersections of Spruce to Van Brunt on Independence Avenue were closed.
KCPD statement:
After helping police on the ground find a homicide suspect from another city hiding near Parkville, our helicopter had a mechanical problem that forced the officers/FAA-certified pilots to make an emergency landing Wednesday night, Aug. 3. The pilot was able to bring the chopper down safely on one of Kansas City's busier streets: Independence Avenue. A nearby business provided us with this video of the landing. We're so glad the officers and everyone on the ground were safe!