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Florida Man Tries to Seize Medevac Helicopter After I-75 Crash

Officials warned the attempted takeover created a security breach at an active medical landing zone.

Overview

  • Riley Ferrer, who crashed his pickup on I-75 on Friday, ran past first responders and tried to enter a BayFlight medical helicopter while crews prepared patients for flight.
  • Two occupants of the other vehicle suffered serious injuries and were being readied for air transport but their current conditions have not been publicly confirmed.
  • Troopers detained Ferrer after the attempt failed and he now faces three counts of resisting without violence and one count of burglary of an occupied conveyance.
  • Authorities took Ferrer to Tampa General Hospital–Brooksville for medical clearance where he initially refused to cooperate and had to be physically escorted and forced to sit before booking.
  • Medevac helicopters require secured landing zones and officials say the incident could lead to tighter on-scene security and reviews of emergency air-evacuation procedures.