Nicholas Vella, an experienced officer, was killed in a helicopter accident in Newport Beach, California. His co-pilot remains critically unwell. The officer was critically wounded in the helicopter accident on February 19 at approximately 6:30 p.m. He died shortly after being pulled from the wreckage, and his co-pilot was brought to the hospital. We regret to inform you of the death of Officer Nicholas Vella, a 14-year veteran of the HBPD. Officer Vella was killed this evening when our police helicopter, HB-1, crashed into the seas off the coast of Newport while responding to a request for help.
After his death, HBPD Chief Eric Parra said,
“The city of Huntington Beach, the citizens of Huntington Beach, the Huntington Beach Police Department, and the law enforcement community have lost a true professional.” He was doing what he enjoyed.”
Everything there is to know about Nicholas Vella
Nicholas Vella served for the Huntington Beach Police Department as a police officer and helicopter pilot. When the event occurred, Vella and his partner responded to a disturbance flight call in Newport Beach. The helicopter could be seen between Lido Isle and Balboa Peninsula before spiraling down to the beach. People on the shore rushed to rescue the passengers, but Vella died due to his injuries after being dragged out. Video from the rescue effort shows cops and villagers attempting to extract the pilots from the submerged wreckage.
The police department prepared a parade to pay the last goodbye to Nicholas Vella, while others paid respect to him on social media. The Huntington Beach Police Department posted photos of the late officer on their social media accounts. Kristi Tovar was Vella’s wife.
A helicopter crashed in Miami.
On the same day, a helicopter carrying three people crashed into the Atlantic Ocean near Miami Beach. According to a tweet from Miami Beach Police, the passengers were taken to Jackson Memorial Hospital. Ernesto Rodriguez, Public Information Officer for the Miami Beach Police Department, reported that their health was stable and that the third passenger had no severe injuries. At 1:10 p.m., the event occurred near 10th Street.
A helicopter is seen plummeting into the water near a crowded area of swimmers and beachgoers in a video in the tweet. According to authorities, the Federal Aviation Administration arrived promptly, and access was stopped between the 9th and 11th streets for two blocks. The FAA told CNN that the helicopter was a Robinson R44 and that the NTSB was investigating the reason for the incident.
