Rep. Wadsworth, Irene Van Recovering After Crash

Irene Van and state Rep. Bill Wadsworth are recovering at Hartford Hospital after the helicopter Wadsworth was piloting along Meadow Road Saturday night.

Wadsworth escaped with only minor injuries and was able to carry Van away from the wreckage of the crash, which happened at 6:40 p.m. Life Star was called but was unavailable, so Wadsworth and Van were transported to the hospital via ambulance.

Speaking from her hospital room Sunday, Van was in good spirits, but said her back is broken between the second and third vertebrae. Doctors are still conducting tests to determine whether she will need to undergo surgery. She is expected to remain at Hartford Hospital until at least Tuesday.

Wadsworth, whose room is across the hall, is doing well, Van said.

“Bill is bruised. He’s checking out okay but he’s really banged up.”

While the two suffered quite a scare — Van said she isn’t looking forward to flying again — she said Farmington emergency responders were wonderful.

“Bill and I would like to thank everyone from the town of Farmington. They were there within a minute. Conor Hogan was there and Tim Vibert held my hand … I was able to relax because they were so confident and competent,” Irene said.

She credits Wadsworth, a privately rated helicopter and hot air balloon pilot, with averting disaster.

“The real hero was Bill. We were coming over the trees and all of a sudden we went into a crazy spin," Van said. "I could tell he was trying to right it and that's why we didn't go nose down. He saved our lives.”

Wadsworth suspects the crash was caused by a rotor breaking, Van said, though the National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident. The Federal Aviation Administration began an initial investigation Saturday night but the severity of the incident puts it under the jurisdiction of the NTSB.

"We made the determination that the helicopter was completely destroyed, which makes it a National Transportation Safety Board investigation," said Jim Peters, a spokesman for the FAA. 

“Bill is meticulous. He checked everything before we took off, when we got gas, and he keeps it in meticulous condition,” she said.

While the Wadsworth and Van are recovering, they’re grateful for the outpouring of concern and support from the town of Farmington.

“We’ve gotten tons of well-wishes and it means so much,” Van said.