This was a close call.

A helicopter was forced to make an emergency landing in Texas after being hit by a private drone.

The helicopter was struck while conducting search and rescue missions in Kerr County, where nearly 100 people have died due to intense flooding.

Fox 26 Houston had more details to report on the incident:

A helicopter involved in emergency operations was forced to land in Kerrville after a private drone struck it Monday afternoon.

ADVERTISEMENT

The drone was being illegally flown in a restricted airspace, the City of Kerrville said in their release.

The airspace over Kerrville, the seat of Kerr County, which announced a most recent death toll of 84 on Monday, is under a temporary flight restriction while crews conduct search and rescue operations. The temporary measure was established after the devastating flooding of the Guadalupe River in the Texas Hill Country on the Fourth of July, which resulted in over 100 confirmed deaths and missing persons.

After being hit by the drone on Monday, the helicopter made an emergency landing. Due to the incident, the city says a critical piece of emergency response equipment is now out of service until further notice.

The city noted that temporary flight restrictions are not suggestions, but federal airspace rules designed to protect lives during emergency situations.

Police asked the public earlier Monday to stay away from the search and rescue areas, saying sightseers were hampering their emergency operations.

KENS 5 reported more details on the incident:

Rescue missions are still ongoing in Central Texas.

One U.S. Coast Guard member was able to save over 165 people:

This is a Guest Post from our friends over at WLTReport. View the original article here.
 

Join The Conversation. Leave a Comment.