Grand Canyon-bound tour helicopter makes emergency landing

A tour helicopter made an emergency landing in Lake Mead National Recreation Area on Monday after striking a bird mid-flight.

The Maverick Helicopters Inc. craft landed safely on the River Mountains Loop Trail at 5:40 p.m. The pilot sustained lacerations to his face. The six passengers were uninjured.

Game wardens from the Nevada Department of Wildlife saw the damaged helicopter land and provided first aid. The pilot was transported to the hospital by park service ambulance.

The passengers were tourists from London. The helicopter was traveling to the Grand Canyon from Las Vegas when it struck the bird.