SOUTH KINGSTOWN — Additional details have emerged in the aftermath of the helicopter crash in Worden Pond, provided by the South Kingstown Police Department.
The incident occurred at approximately 8:24 a.m. after a 911 call reported a helicopter submerged in Worden Pond.
Responding to the call were South Kingstown Police, Union Fire, and EMS.
Upon arrival, they were met by 62-year-old Robert Buscher, a South Kingstown local, who was fishing on the pond at the time.
Buscher had already assisted the two helicopter occupants out of the water.
The helicopter’s operator, 54-year-old Jeff Codman, received treatment at the scene and was released without requiring hospitalization.
The passenger, Amira Malik, was taken to South County Hospital for minor injuries sustained during the crash.
Both Codman and Malik are employees of REGENT Craft, a North Kingstown enterprise specializing in the production of sea gliders.
They were conducting tests on downward-facing sensors over the water when the accident took place.
The helicopter is a leased aircraft from Nantucket Helicopters, LLC.
Chief of Police Matthew C. Moynihan expressed his gratitude towards Buscher: “I want to thank the quick-thinking and actions of Mr. Buscher who immediately responded to the scene.
Police, fire, and rescue arrived quickly and were then able to assess and treat the occupants.
