Helicopter Pilot Dies In Crash While Bringing Supplies To Washington Firefighters

LEAVENWORTH, Wash. (AP) -- A helicopter crashed Wednesday while ferrying supplies to firefighters in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness in central Washington, killing the pilot.

The pilot, identified by the U.S. Forest Service as Mike Ward, 55, of Clayton, Ga., was the only person on board.

The cause of the crash, about 20 miles northwest of Leavenworth in the North Cascades, was not immediately known.

The Bell 205 helicopter had been contracted by the U.S. Forest Service to bring equipment to firefighters battling a small lightning-caused fire.

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