Chopper Loses Bucket

Area residents say it's a miracle no one was hurt or killed.

Transportation officials are investigating a bizarre incident related to the Rose Valley fire on Kelowna's Westside last weekend involving a helicopter.

The incident happened Sunday in Penticton where a helicopter carrying a water bucket suddenly lost its load.

Witnesses say the chopper had lifted off from Penticton airport and was on its way to the fire when the bucket somehow became unhooked.

Fortunately for the pilot, the bucket fell onto an empty street (Kinney Ave.) leaving large gashes in the pavement.

The pilot landed nearby and loaded the bucket into a storage area of the helicopter and flew away.

The company that owns the helicopter says it inspected the equipment and couldn't find anything wrong.

The company is from Richmond.