Helicopter pilot killed in crash after clipping wires near I-70; wires going down leads to traffic crashes

CLARK COUNTY — A helicopter pilot was killed Saturday in a crash into a cornfield after clipping power lines near Interstate 70.

Traffic on the interstate was brought to a standstill after multiple crashes caused all lanes to be blocked. Those crashes were caused by the power lines going down and drivers seeking to avoid them, according to the Springfield Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

OSHP said those crashes were near Ohio 41.

Officials have not said what caused the helicopter to hit the power lines. It was found in a cornfield on East Possum Road, where law enforcement, medical emergency professionals and the Clark County coroner responded.

ExplorePHOTOS: I-70 shut down after helicopter crash

A photojournalist at the scene of the helicopter crash said a vehicle pulled up around 4 p.m. that had the title “Helicopter Applicators” on it. That is a company that performs aerial applications such as herbicide and insecticide to farmland and other industries.

As of 4:30 p.m. Saturday, the identity of the pilot was not released.

The incident is being investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board.