One dead as helicopter crashes on slag pile

A helicopter conducting restoration work on the uplands of Anaconda crashed early Friday morning, killing one individual whom it is understood to be the pilot. The individual's name has not been released. 

According to Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Police Chief Bill Sather, the helicopter crashed onto one of the slag piles on the east side of town. However it was not the large one that is currently in the process of being capped but rather a much smaller one on the south side of Smelter Road. 

As of approximately 9 a.m. this morning ADLC police and fire crews were waiting to proceed at the scene pending arrival of Federal Aviation Administration officials who will investigate the crash, the cause of which is unknown at this time. The exact time of the crash is not know at this time either, though it occurred between 7 and 8 a.m. this morning. 

Helicopter flights above the hills on both the north and south sides of Anaconda have been commonplace the last couple years as part of the ongoing reclamation and restoration efforts on Superfund land that had been impacted by a century of smelting activity. The flights – notable for the large metal containers hanging from below the helicopters used in the reclamation process – had just resumed earlier this month.

This is a developing story and the Anaconda Leader will have more information as it becomes available.