MADRID – A helicopter crashed today on the M-40 ring road in Madrid, in the central reservation at Campo de las Naciones, near the IFEMA conference centre where the European Rotors aviation fair is currently taking place.
The accident involving the Enstrom 280FX Shark did not cause any serious injuries. The causes of the crash, however, are still unknown. According to reports from Telemadrid, there were two people on board the helicopter who suffered minor injuries in the accident. Furthermore, a car driver also suffered minor injuries. Medical personnel were quickly on the scene to provide assistance at kilometre point 6 of the motorway. Several fire brigade teams from the municipality of Madrid and the Samur Civil Protection were sent to the scene of the accident.
🚨#ÚltimaHora: el helicóptero Enstrom 280FX Shark con matrícula F-HPUX que participaba en la feria European Rotors que se estaba llevando a cabo en Ifema se ha estrellado en la M40 de Madrid poco después de despegar. El helicóptero ha caído en el punto kilométrico 5.600 del… pic.twitter.com/YVgVkgcCbZ
— On The Wings of Aviation (@OnAviation) December 1, 2023
Traffic jams due to road closure
As a result of the helicopter accident, traffic flow on the M-40 has been seriously disrupted. All lanes in the direction of the crash exit are closed, and traffic is being diverted. Only one lane is closed from the entrance. It is therefore advisable to avoid the area due to significant traffic congestion and delays. This ring road is crucial for the flow of traffic in Madrid.
📢🔴En #Madrid, por accidente, muy complicada la M-40, en Hortaleza, en ambos sentidos.
➡️Cortados dos carriles en ambos sentidos.
🚨Eviten desplazarse por esta zona. pic.twitter.com/I2p7AN06nc
— Dir. Gral. Tráfico (@DGTes) December 1, 2023
Authorities and experts will further investigate the helicopter accident to determine the exact cause and prevent similar incidents in the future.
Also read: Dozens of pigs on the motorway after traffic accident cause a big traffic jam
