The Montana Department of Justice has released dramatic dashcam video taken just moments after a DNRC helicopter crash that occurred last week.

According to the MT DOJ press release, dashcam video was from the vehicle of MHP Trooper Amanda Villa, who was in the Townsend area supporting fire crews, and conducting a roadblock when she witnessed the helicopter crash on Highway 12.

Cat Country 102.9 logo
Get our free mobile app

After arriving near the crash scene, Trooper Villa and a deputy from the Broadwater County Sheriff's Office rushed to render aid to those injured in the DNRC helicopter crash. According to the report, one of the five passengers on board the helicopter escaped the wreckage and informed Villa of the other four still on board.

 

In the video, you can see Trooper Villa and the Broadwater Co. Sheriff deputy rushing to help the remaining passengers to safety.

According to the press release, everyone on board the DNRC helicopter "were released from the hospital that day after being assessed and cleared by medical professionals."

The DNRC helicopter crew released the following statement about the rescue:

The Last Chance Helitack crew would like to extend our sincere gratitude to Highway Patrol Trooper Amanda Villa for coming to our aid during the helicopter accident last week. Not many people would run towards a fire to ensure other people’s safety, but Trooper Villa didn’t hesitate when she saw that members of our crew were still inside and potentially in danger. We feel safer knowing that there are people like Amanda Villa out there ready and willing to help people at a moment’s notice. Thank you, Trooper Villa.

According to the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, the helicopter crash was caused by adverse winds near Townsend, where DNRC crews were battling wildfires.

LOOK: The most expensive weather and climate disasters in recent decades

Stacker ranked the most expensive climate disasters by the billions since 1980 by the total cost of all damages, adjusted for inflation, based on 2021 data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The list starts with Hurricane Sally, which caused $7.3 billion in damages in 2020, and ends with a devastating 2005 hurricane that caused $170 billion in damage and killed at least 1,833 people. Keep reading to discover the 50 of the most expensive climate disasters in recent decades in the U.S.

KEEP READING: Get answers to 51 of the most frequently asked weather questions...

 

CHECK IT OUT: 100 sports records and the stories behind them

 

More From Cat Country 102.9