Next Time, Santa May Use Reindeer
- Share via
LANTANA, Fla. — Children waiting for Santa Claus watched in horror as a helicopter flipped over in front of them and caught fire, trapping the red-suited man inside.
The pilot managed to free himself Sunday and rescue Charles Dhooge, who was beating fire from his face and had his seat belt caught beneath the pillow he used to make his Santa belly.
Santa had just flown by and waved to the 150 children assembled near an airport hangar when the helicopter landed, bounced and burst into flames.
The children and several adults were there to receive toys collected by Angel Flight of South Florida, which provides nonemergency flights to hospitals.
Despite the accident, the gift-giving went off as scheduled.
Ray Marcinkoski of Lantana arrived dressed as Santa and quickly drew a crowd of children.
“They told me they’d seen the fire and [asked] was I all right,” said Marcinkoski.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
