Medals awarded to rescuers at military helicopter crash

Defence Minister Martin Glváč decorated Hana Blažejová, Vladimír Šulko and Peter Korba, who were the first to offer help at the crash site last month involving a Mi-17 military helicopter, with Order of the III Class Commemorative Medals from the Defence Minister on Tuesday. The crash took place close to the village of Hradisko (Prešov region) on July 28. It was Vladimir Sulko, who made it to the crash site first. "We were just coming down the mountain when I heard the noise. I wasn't worried that the helicopter could explode and quickly pulled the pilot out. It was the first time I was saving someone", said Šulko. The Mi-17 helicopter took off from Presov base on Tuesday at 1.30 p.m. to practise landing on unfamiliar terrain. The control tower lost contact with the helicopter shortly after 2 p.m. Military pilot Richard Sépi died in the crash, while two other two crew members were rushed to hospital with serious injuries.