Oregon families to settle lawsuits over firefighting helicopter crash in California

PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The families of seven firefighters killed and three injured in the crash of a firefighting helicopter in Northern California in 2008 have reached a tentative settlement in various lawsuits.

The Oregonian newspaper reported Friday the proposed settlements in the August 5, 2008, crash of the Sikorsky S-61 helicopter resulted from mediation this week by a federal judge.

A lawyer for four victims said the amount of the settlements with Carson Helicopters, Columbia Helicopters and the U.S. Forest Service was still being finalized.

At least two lawsuits had sought $10 million for each victim.

The crash was considered the deadliest of its kind in U.S. history, killing nine men, including seven contract firefighters with Grayback Forestry of Merlin, Ore.

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Information from: The Oregonian, http://www.oregonlive.com