Oregon families to settle lawsuits over firefighting helicopter crash in California

Ore. helicopter crash families to settle lawsuits

PORTLAND, Ore. — The families of seven firefighters killed and three injured in the crash of a firefighting helicopter in Northern California in 2008 have reached a tentative settlement in various lawsuits.

The Oregonian newspaper reported Friday the proposed settlements in the August 5, 2008, crash of the Sikorsky S-61 helicopter resulted from mediation this week by a federal judge.

A lawyer for four victims said the amount of the settlements with Carson Helicopters, Columbia Helicopters and the U.S. Forest Service was still being finalized.

At least two lawsuits had sought $10 million for each victim.

The crash was considered the deadliest of its kind in U.S. history, killing nine men, including seven contract firefighters with Grayback Forestry of Merlin, Ore.

Information from: The Oregonian, www.oregonlive.com