2 Oregon men die in copter crash

PORTLAND, Ore. — Authorities in Oregon say two people have died in a helicopter crash near Forest Grove.

Sgt. Bob Ray of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office says 34-year-old flight instructor Douglas Doty of Beaverton and 32-year-old student pilot Thomas Hagner of Hillsboro died when the two-person copter crashed Sunday afternoon near a farming area.

Authorities say the crash site is about a mile from any paved road and is accessible only by driving through crops and around irrigation ditches.

Deputies say witnesses reported seeing the helicopter lose control before hitting the ground in a fiery explosion.

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