Helicopter crashes in western Ohio, killing woman, critically injuring her husband

A married couple flying in their helicopter crashed Tuesday morning near their home in western Ohio, killing the woman and critically injuring the man, officials say.

Krista Zimmer, 35, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash in the driveway of the residence on Hogpath Road near Greenville, according to the Darke County Sheriff’s Office. Her husband, Charles Zimmer, 34, was flown by helicopter to Miami Valley Hospital with life-threatening injuries.

The two-seat helicopter reportedly crashed at about 9:40 a.m., authorities say, catching on fire and trapping the Zimmers inside. It is unknown if the helicopter was attempting to land or take off at the time of the crash.

Neighbors who witnessed the crash, including an off-duty Greenville firefighter, used buckets of water and fire extinguishers from their homes in an attempt to put out the fire while also working to free the Zimmers from the wreckage, the sheriff’s department says. Deputies joined the effort when they arrived.

They were able to free Charles Zimmer before emergency crews arrived. The helicopter is registered to Charles Zimmer and the couple have been known to land and take off from their residence, which is surrounded by fields in a rural area of Darke County, the sheriff’s office says.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board have been called to investigate the crash, the sheriff’s office says.