North Platte Post
Lexington, Neb. - A pilot was transported to the hospital Wednesday evening following a helicopter crash that occurred outside of Lexington according to officials.
According to the Dawson County Sheriff's Office (DCSO), just a little after 6:00pm on Wednesday, the DCSO received a report of a downed aircraft outside of Lexington. The DCSO responded with Dawson County Emergency Management, Lexington Fire and Rescue, Dawson Public Power, Nebraska State Patrol, and the Nebraska Department of Transportation.
A helicopter was spraying an herbicide in the Platte River for vegetation and struck a Dawson Public Power transmission lines resulting in the lines falling across I-80. The aircraft was owned by Provine Helicopters out of Greenwood, Mississippi.
Due to the power lines falling across I-80, I-80 was closed in both directions from mile marker 222 to mile marker 237. Dawson Public Power was notified and responded to the scene and cleared the lines from the interstate. Residents in the area were without electricity for a short time.
The pilot was transported to Lexington Regional Hospital to be treated for his injuries. The pilot's name is not being released at this time. The FAA and NTSB were notified.