A helicopter crash in West Texas killed three employees of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) on Saturday while they were conducting an aerial survey of desert bighorn sheep, TPWD officials said
The three were identified on Sunday as wildlife biologist Dewey Stockbridge, wildlife technician Brandon White, and wildlife veterinarian Dr. Bob Dittmar, according to a statement from the TPWD.
Officials said the crash occurred while the group was flying over the Black Gap Wildlife Management Area in Brewster County, which borders Big Bend National Park and spans over 100,000 acres.
The single survivor was the helicopter’s pilot, a private contractor, who was rushed to a hospital in El Paso, where he is currently being treated for undisclosed injuries.
TPWD Executive Director Carter Smith stated that “no words can begin to express the depth of sadness we feel for the loss of our colleagues in this tragic accident.”
“These men were consummate professionals, deeply liked and highly regarded by their peers and partners alike for the immense passion, dedication, and expertise they brought to their important work in wildlife management and veterinary medicine,” Smith continued.
The director added that everyone at the TPWD wants to send their “deepest condolences and sympathies” to the families of the victims who lead under this “devastating tragedy.”
“We will miss Dewey, Brandon, and Dr. Bob deeply and dearly,” Smith said. He added that they “continue to pray for the health and recovery of the pilot.”
We are devastated to report that 3 of our colleagues died in a helicopter crash yesterday while conducting aerial surveys for desert bighorn sheep on TPWD’s Black Gap Wildlife Management Area in Brewster County: https://t.co/ia9SCGnDEP
— TX Parks & Wildlife (@TPWDnews) August 9, 2020
TPWD officials have not released any details yet on the cause of the crash, but noted that additional information will be made public as it becomes available.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said in a statement on Sunday that he and his wife, Cecilia, “are deeply saddened by this loss” and offered their condolences to the victims’ families.
“Our hearts ache today for those who died in this tragic accident,” Abbott said. “I ask all Texans to keep these families in their thoughts and prayers.”
Investigators with the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the Texas Game Wardens are currently working the crash incident.
