BSO fire-rescue helicopter crashes at Pompano Beach Airpark; possibly 3 victims on board

POMPANO BEACH — Fire-rescue units have responded to reports of a Broward Sheriff’s Office Fire-Rescue helicopter crashing into a building southwest of Pompano Beach Airpark, with the building and aircraft engulfed about 8:45 a.m. Monday.

Pompano Beach Fire-Rescue have taken two people out of the aircraft; early reports are that at least one person may died, and one other treated. A search is being conducted for a possible third victim.

James Roach, EMS medical director for Broward Sherrif’s Office, said that Capt. Terryson Jackson was aboard the helicopter when it crashed.

Jackson, 49, has been with the Broward Sheriff’s Office for more than seven years, according to his LinkedIn profile. He lives in Tamarac and received an associate degree from Broward College. He was featured in a video for the Sheriff’s Office for Black History Month in 2020 in which his passion for helping other was evident. In the video, Jackson said he came from a family dedicated to medicine and helping people. His mother and father are nurses.

“As a captain and flight paramedic for Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue, my position is to provide the highest level of pre-hospital care while swiftly delivering the patient to the most appropriate medical or trauma facility,” he said in the video.“This career really chose me,” he said. “I get to impact my community each and every day.”

The airpark is located at 1001 NE 10th St., and is known as the home for the Goodyear Blimp, and the helicopter crashed in a residential area to the southwest of the airport. Rescue personnel were searching a wide area near the crash site for debris Monday morning.

Brian Piggott, who lives nearby and was out for a walk, saw the helicopter crash into a large building near the airport. He said he watched the helicopter take off to the west of the airpark flying parallel to Atlantic Boulevard, fly south trailing smoke and losing altitude, and then dive into a large building.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area of North Dixie Highway and Atlantic Boulevard in Pompano Beach as Broward Sheriff’s Office deputies and Pompano Beach Fire Rescue respond to the helicopter crash. Dixie Highway is shut down between Northeast Fifth Street and Northeast 10th Street.

This is a developing story, so check back for updates. Click here to have breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox.