The director of the Police confirmed that a helicopter covering the Caucasia-Medellín-Tuluá route crashed in a forested area on the border between Caramanta and Támesis, in the southwest of the department of Antioquia.
The rescue efforts were ordered by the National Police from the Olaya Herrera airport in Medellín.
The fatal event occurred before noon this Thursday, February 22, when authorities received reports about the loss of contact with the aircraft, quickly followed by news of its accident. Tragically, the death of the four crew members who were on board the helicopter was confirmed.
According to the mayor of Caramanta, Juan Esteban Correa, around 1:15 pm, it was reported that the helicopter suffered an accident in an area known as Las Pajas, in the Conde neighborhood of Caramanta.
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In Santander de Quilichao (Cauca) I was informed about loss of communication with Black Hawk helicopter 0614, in the San Pablo village, municipality of Caramanta (Antioquia). I provided institutional capabilities for their search, with the support of our Colombian Aerospace Force.
— General William René Salamanca Ramírez (@DirectorPolicia) February 22, 2024
«National mourning! Protecting Colombia, Major Juan Morales, Captain César Rodríguez and Deputy Superintendents Feder Celis and Rafael González gave their lives in the Black Hawk 0614 accident. Fraternal and supportive hug to their families,” the Police Director expressed with regret.
In a subsequent statement, General William René Salamanca Ramírez, director of the Police, reported: “In the mountainous area of southern Antioquia we located Black Hawk 0614, manned by Major Juan Morales, Captain César Rodríguez and Deputy Superintendents Rafael González and Feder Celis. “I ordered Brigadier General William Rincón to take over the operations center at Olaya Herrera airport.”
For his part, the mayor of Támesis, Juan Pablo Pérez, confirmed that they sent the entire municipality’s fire department and activated the risk management committee to support the rescue efforts as necessary.
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