Helicopter makes emergency landing

A mechanical problem forced the Hendricks Regional Health PHI Air Medical Helicopter to make an emergency landing.

The helicopter was transporting a man to St. Elizabeth Medical Center when it had a mechanical malfunction. It landed in a vacant gas station off US 231 South and State Road 28 in Romney. Four people were inside the helicopter. No one was injured in the landing. Deputy Rob Reppert was called to the scene and said the helicopter landed in the perfect spot.

"When we received the dispatch our dispatch advised there were no injuries, the pilot did land safely, so, you don't get this call every day. Better here than on the highway," Reppert said.

An ambulance came to take the patient to St. Elizabeth's. His name is not being released but is said to be in fair and stable condition. The pilot was not available to comment on the landing but a spokesperson for PHI, Jonathan Collier, said the helicopter pilot took appropriate action and handled the situation perfectly. Collier said the exact malfunction is unknown and is under investigation.