Pilot injured in helicopter crash near I-80 in Dawson County

LEXINGTON, Neb. (KNOP) - A pilot was injured Wednesday evening after his helicopter crashed near the I-80 Darr interchange, close to Road 755 and the Platte River.

According to the Dawson County Sheriff’s office, the pilot was spraying a herbicide in the Platte River for vegetation control when his helicopter struck Dawson Public Power transmission lines.

The collision brought down power lines onto the roadway, leading to a closure of I-80 in both directions between Cozad and Lexington for two hours while crews worked to clear the lines.

DPPD reported a power outage that affected approximately 1,000 meters in the Lexington area.

The pilot, whose identity has not been released, was taken to Lexington Regional Hospital for his injuries.

The helicopter, owned by Provine Helicopters of Greenwood, Mississippi, was heavily damaged.

The Dawson County Sheriff’s Office expressed gratitude to the Cozad and Lexington police departments, as well as the Nebraska State Patrol, for assisting with traffic control.

Both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have been notified.