JPHarr's Fotothing

Here's a view from as close to the building and crash scene as I could get. Below the smoke stains are the remains of a very nice flying ambulance. Take a look in large-o-rama and you'll see the chopper rotor has carved notches in the bricks.

Here's the news from the scene as forwarded to me by Doody:

Helicopter crashes at Mich. hospital, no deaths
By JAMES PRICHARD – 1 hour ago
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (AP) — A helicopter whose pilot was practicing approaches crashed on the roof of a hospital Thursday, catching fire moments after the two people on board escaped unharmed, a fire official said.
No patients were aboard the helicopter in the crash around 11 a.m. at Spectrum Health Butterworth Hospital, Fire Chief John VanSolkema said. The chopper landed on its side and caught fire, he said.
The crash sent thick, black smoke over downtown and forced the evacuation of patients from the building.
Elizabeth Isham Cory, a spokeswoman for the FAA in Chicago, said the helicopter was practicing approaches. The FAA was investigating and the National Transportation Safety Board may investigate, Cory said.
Patients were being transported to other area hospitals, and employees were taken to Grand Rapids Community College due to fears fuel may have leaked into the hospital, police said.
Lynda Ignatoski, who was standing outside the Towers Medical building on the Spectrum Health campus, told The Grand Rapids Press she saw the helicopter's tail hit a radio tower on the hospital's roof.
Ignatoski said the helicopter spun around and debris flew everywhere. She said the helicopter hit the roof and exploded in flames.
American Red Cross spokeswoman Caroline Clunk said volunteers were setting up canteens to assist evacuees, firefighters and other rescue workers.
Spectrum Health Butterworth, located in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, is part of the largest campus of Spectrum Health, which is a nonprofit health care system based in western Michigan.
Butterworth Hospital is the only Level 1 trauma center for the most serious patients in western Michigan.