Medical Helicopter Lands on Mattresses in South Texas

Several mattresses piled on the ground have helped a medical helicopter with damaged gear make a safe landing in South Texas.

Officials with PHI Air Medical say the patient and three crew members were uninjured in the emergency landing at San Antonio International Airport.

PHI spokesman Brad Deutser says the helicopter early Sunday clipped a cellphone tower and lost one of its skids. The pilot then asked airport tower controllers for help in making a balanced landing.

Firefighters grabbed several mattresses from their living area. Capt. Kevin Campbell says the helicopter landed on top of the mattresses, which were held steady by weights.

Another medical helicopter then flew the patient to San Antonio Military Medical Center. Further details on the patient, who was transported from the Bryan area, weren’t released.