3 dead in firefighting helicopter crash in California after midair collision with 2nd helicopter

A firefighting helicopter crashed, killing all three crew members, after it collided with a second helicopter while battling a blaze in Southern California, fire officials said.

The victims have been identified as Division Chief Josh Bischof, Capt. Tim Rodriguez and pilot Tony Sousa, Cal Fire said. Sousa was a contracted pilot and not a Cal Fire employee.

The crash occurred after Riverside County firefighters were called to the scene of a structure fire in Cabazon at about 6 p.m. Sunday and crews realized the blaze had moved into the nearby grass, Cal Fire Southern Region Chief David Fulcher said.

Cal Fire helicopters and planes were called in to help extinguish the blaze, he said.

“While engaged in the firefight, two helicopters collided,” Fulcher said at a news conference. “The first helicopter was able to land safely nearby. Unfortunately, the second helicopter crashed and, tragically, all three members perished.”

Both helicopters were contracted by Cal Fire and arrived at the scene with different objectives, fire officials said. The helicopter which was able to safely land was a Sikorsky Skycrane, a type that carries retardant or water that’s dropped on a blaze, Fulcher said. The one that crashed was a Bell helicopter, used for observation while fighting fires.

The crash caused an additional four-acre fire, which was then extinguished, Fulcher said.

ABC News’ Jenna Harrison contributed to this report.