Posted at: 06/10/2009 5:21 PM
Updated at: 06/11/2009 5:01 PM
By: Jeff Maher, Eyewitness News 4; Matthew Kappus, KOB.com

Officer gives dire account of helicopter crash

Officer Cox is recovering at St. Vincent Hospital

Officer Wesley Cox, the spotter for a doomed helicopter that crashed in Santa Fe Tuesday, says he doesn't believe either of the people riding with him in the helicopter are alive.

Officer Cox, 29, is recovering at St. Vincent Hospital from severe hypothermia. He was stranded overnight in the snowy Santa Fe Baldy when the rescue helicopter he was in with two others crashed just after 9 p.m.

Cox told state police Tuesday that he, Sgt. Andy Tingwall, and Megumi Yamamoto were all ejected when their chopper hit the side of a mountain.

Cox said Yamamoto died instantly. But he and Tingwall were able to remain in contact throughout the night by shouting to each other.

About 12:30 Tuesday, ground searchers were approached by State Patrolman Cox. He was serving as the spotter on board of the helicopter when it went down.

Cox walked about two miles from the crash site and told searchers he was the only survivor. But state police say Cox may be confused because he was extremely hypothermic, so they want to confirm the reports themselves.

Officers say they are trying to stay positive as the rescue effort continues into its first full day. But the family of officer Tingwall have been told to brace for the worst.