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This story has been updated: Wednesday, June 10, 2009 at 8:45 a.m.
Search Continues for Missing State Police Helicopter
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Police Copter Missing Near Ski Area
By Hailey Heinz
Journal Staff Writer
State Police lost contact Tuesday night with a helicopter that had three people on board and was believed to have crashed in Santa Fe County, State Police spokesman Peter Olson said.
The search and rescue helicopter had just picked up a lost female hiker northeast of Ski Santa Fe. She was on board about 9:30 p.m. when authorities lost contact with the helicopter.
Two State Police officers also were on board.
Law enforcement agencies around the state offered to help with the search, and Santa Fe County Sheriff Greg Solano said his deputies handled State Police calls so more resources could be devoted to the search. The New Mexico National Guard and the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Department were among the assisting agencies.
The helicopter was near the ski area when police lost contact.
Solano said searchers face diverse terrain.
"It's very mountainous," he said. "There are hiking trails, some horseback trails ... developed forestry areas and camping areas."
The National Weather Service reported Tuesday night that it was raining in the area near the search.
Five New Mexico State Police officers have been killed in aircraft crashes since 1984, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page Web site.
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