Pilot okay after helicopter crash

Saratoga - On Friday, July 27 at about 6:14 p.m., the Howard County Sheriff’s office received a call that a crop duster helicopter hit an electrical wire and crashed at the intersection of 125th St. and Maple Leaf Road, about 2.5 miles south and 1.5 miles east of Saratoga, Iowa.

The pilot, Scott Anthony Townes, age 43 of Texarkana, Texas, was spraying out of (IAS) Innovative Ag Services out of Elma. He was able to exit the helicopter on his own, but did receive injuries and was transported to Regional Health Services in Cresco by ambulance.

The FAA investigated the  wreckage and crash scene on Saturday. Sheriff’s Deputy Ran VanDewalker is the investigating officer.

Also on scene were Howard County Ambulance, Riceville Ambulance, Riceville Fire Department and Elma Fire Department.

The helicopter was towed into Cresco by Cresco Towing and Recovery.