Gary Toomer of 5th Street was on a sightseeing "Bluebird Express" tour when the helicopter he was in crashed, causing him serious bodily injuries. Barbara Stevinson who lived on Donax Avenue also suffered neck injuries but was released the same day.
According to the pilot Rodney Guilmain, the machine momentarily lost power shortly after takeoff. He was able to avoid trees, power lines and other obstacles and come to a rough landing in a parking lot near Mission Beach.
In other news, thieves resorted to arson to rob firefighters in Chula Vista and IB while they put out the fires.
"The connections between the fires and the burglary seemed likely because an almost identical set of incidents occurred," the article said.
In IB, the fire was thought to have been deliberately set at an abandoned home, "and when firefighters returned to the station, they found their personal belongings had been ransacked." Firefighter Mitchell Sanders' Chevy Blazer was reportedly stolen.
Earlier that week, Mexican beauty queens visited the Lion's Club in Nestor.
Among them, Miss Mexico Elizabeth Brodden Ibanez, Miss Latin America Lorena Mora Rubio, Miss Yucatan Luz Maria Beristain and Miss Oaxaca Lilia Silvia Hernandez Luna
They are featured in the photo that accompanies this story with then Lions Club president Don Blackwell.
