JEFFERSON CITY, MO, JAN. 29, 2026 – A helicopter carrying three Missouri state parks team members and a private pilot crashed into the Meramec River today. The state park team members were conducting an aerial ecological survey of Meramec State Park when the aircraft may have struck a powerline.
All those aboard the helicopter were rescued from the river and are under medical care at Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital.
“While we continue to investigate, we want to thank the first responders for their quick actions, and we are very thankful that everyone appears to be ok,” said Kurt Schaefer, director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
The Department of Natural Resources continues to collect information. Missouri state parks rangers and other emergency personnel are on site assisting.
Missouri State Parks is a division of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.