Marine helicopter blows tree branches, hurts 10 on ground during NYC landing for Fleet Week

Marine helicopter mishap hurts 10 at NYC park

NEW YORK — The powerful propeller on a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter doing a Memorial Day demonstration has blown tree branches into people on the ground in a New York City park.

Firefighters say ten people suffered minor injuries.

The Osprey helicopter was landing at Staten Island’s Clove Lakes Park around 8 a.m. Monday as part of Fleet Week. It’s an annual event honoring the U.S. military.

Marine Corps spokesman Lt. Josh Diddams says the wind generated by the aircraft’s propeller broke some branches off a nearby tree. The branches were swept into some people on the ground.

Firefighters say seven people have been taken to Richmond University Medical Center. Three others refused medical attention.