Pilot injured in helicopter crash near Darr I-80 intersection

LEXINGTON, Nebraska (KNOP) – A pilot was injured Wednesday evening when his helicopter crashed near the I-80 Darr interchange, near Route 755 and the Platte River.

According to the Dawson County Sheriff's Office, the pilot was spraying an herbicide for vegetation control in the Platte River when his helicopter struck Dawson Public Power's power lines.

The collision caused power lines to fall onto the roadway, causing I-80 between Cozad and Lexington to be closed in both directions for two hours while crews worked to clear the lines.

DPPD reported a power outage affecting approximately 1,000 meters in the Lexington area.

The pilot, whose identity was not released, was taken to Lexington Regional Hospital for his injuries.

The helicopter, operated by Provine Helicopters of Greenwood, Mississippi, was severely damaged.

The Dawson County Sheriff's Office thanked the Cozad and Lexington police departments and the Nebraska State Patrol for their assistance in the traffic stop.

Both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have been notified.

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