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Four emergency responders are dead after a Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office helicopter crashed near Las Vegas on Saturday evening.

According to the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office, the aircraft known as Metro 2 was assisting fire crews battling the East Mesa Fire. BCSO's "Metro 2" helicopter was providing bucket drops and assisting with other needs for fire crews on the ground.

The aircraft was on the way back to Albuquerque when the crash happened 7:20 p.m. on Saturday.

The sheriff's office says there were three members of the Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office and one member of the Bernalillo County Fire Department in the helicopter at the time of the crash.

The following members of BCSO and BCFD were killed in the helicopter crash:

The Bernalillo County Sheriff's Office and New Mexico State Police are investigating the incident and the investigation is in the preliminary stages.

The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are also investigating the crash.

NTSB investigating the 7/16/2022 crash of a Bell UH-1H helicopter near Chapelle, New Mexico.

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham issued the following statement in response to the crash.

“I am heartbroken by the tragic loss of four New Mexicans while in the line of duty. These were four dedicated public servants who were doing what so many of our first responders do day in and day out: working tirelessly to serve and protect their fellow New Mexicans. On behalf of the people of New Mexico, I extend my deepest gratitude to these four brave individuals, and my deepest sympathy to their families, friends and colleagues.

“As we await additional details on the investigation, my office will offer any available support and assistance to the sheriff’s office and the county. State resources will be fully available to assist the investigation.”

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