EU Helicopter Crashes at Pristina Airport

According to a statement released by Pristina Airport, one person was injured when the helicopter crashed during a training exercise at around 3pm.

EULEX said in a written statement that the helicopter is owned and operated by the Starlite Aviation company, which has a contract with the mission to provide transportation services.

The mission said the helicopter was on a training flight with a medical evacuation team consisting of two Helicopter Emergency Medical Service, HEMS, staff - a doctor and a paramedic - and two pilots.  

"One of the HEMS members suffered injuries and was immediately taken to Pristina University Hospital. EULEX personnel also provided medical support.  There were no EULEX staff members on board," EULEX said.

Roland Bliss, a spokesperson for the EU's EULEX law mission, told BIRN that EULEX teams were on their way to the crash scene to investigate. He declined to comment on the circumstances of the crash.

Pristina airport is temporarily closed after the accident.