Blackhawk helicopter creates mini-tornado at Minnesota dedication ceremony

It was to have been the crowning moment of the dedication of the new veterans’ memorial in Janesville, Minnesota. But no one predicted how much of an impact the arrival of the Blackhawk helicopter would have on the Waseca County community.

“It was really, really scary,“ says Lucy Herald, owner of O’Farley’s Bar and Grill, who was preparing to serve lunch to a crowd of several hundred people when the downdraft from the chopper upset both her plans and the tents around her.

“It was the worst thing I have ever, ever been through,“ she says.

The helicopter pilot was bringing the chopper down in a small open area near the veteran’s memorial when the helicopter’s downdraft began stirring in up what witnesses describe as a mini-tornado of paper plates, napkins and tents.

“It was like it picked up and whoosh!“ said Jan Blaisdell.

One tent blew into a van. Another larger tent wound up across the street from the park. At least two people were injured.

Janesville Police Chief David Ulmen says a woman was taken to the hospital by ambulance after being hit in the leg by flying debris.
Jordan Weckworth, 16, was knocked to the ground as he tried to hold down one of the tents. “I got four stitches,“ he said. “It was kind of a deep cut.“

The pilot aborted his landing when he realized what was happening.
“People touched me, ‘Are you alright, are you all right?‘“ said Herold. “And I just stood with my mouth open and said, ‘What the hell happened.‘“

The helicopter blew away, among other items, $60 in cash collected for a Boy Scout fundraiser.  Every dollar was eventually returned.