HARVEST, Ala. — UPDATE: 1:55 PM - All lanes of Highway 53 have reopened to traffic. No further disruptions to the school schedule are expected in connection with the helicopter incident.
ORIGINAL STORY:
Madison County Schools announced Sparkman High School, Sparkman 9th Grade, Monrovia Middle School, and Monrovia Elementary School will operate on a two-hour delay on Friday, Feb. 17. Bus pick-up times for the affected schools will also be delayed by two hours on Friday morning.
The school system made the announcement after consultation with the Madison County Sheriff's Office. Deputies hope the delay in the schedule will alleviate traffic congestion already complicated by the cleanup and investigation of Wednesday's fatal Black Hawk helicopter crash.
CWO 3 Daniel Wadham and CWO 3 Danny Randolph of the Tennessee National Guard were killed when their helicopter plummeted onto Highway 53 near the Burwell Rd. intersection. In the Tennessee National Guard's statement announcing their deaths, they said the Black Hawk was approaching the Huntsville Executive Airport when the aircraft rapidly descended and impacted the ground on Highway 53 in Harvest.
The helicopter landed directly on the roadway, sending flames and plumes of thick, black smoke into the air at approximately 3:01 p.m. Wednesday. No other military members or civilians on the ground were injured.
The bodies of the two servicemen were recovered around 7 p.m., according to Madison County Coroner Dr. Tyler Berryhill.
Areas of Highway 53 between Jeff and Douglas Roads and Research Park Blvd. and Jeff Road remained closed to northbound and southbound traffic. Thursday evening, Madison County District 4 said repair work on the roadway is expected to be complete for traffic to be reopened sometime Friday.
Deputies believe crash debris could be scattered across areas near the crash site. If you locate any wreckage, you are asked to avoid the area and contact MCSO at (256) 722-7181.