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50 cents (+GST) Vol. 131 No. 6 Wednesday, April 23, 2008 52 Pages Circulation 21,220 www.independentfreepress.com Crop for Cancer scrapbookers raise $11,000 for CAShh Page 11 Business Link special section 12-Pages Coach is a hero to autistic youth Page S/L 1 IODE named Acton Citizens of the Year Page 3 INSIDE Preliminary investigation by the Transport- ation Safety Board into a helicopter crash in Georgetown South Saturday afternoon shows the cause was pilot error. Ken Webster, the boards regional senior investigator, said the investigation found no mechanical deficiencies with the chopper. Human factors issue, said Webster, when asked what caused the crash sending the pilot/instructor and passenger to hospital with serious injuries and numerous fractures and facial cuts. The control of the helicopter was lost, said Webster. Pilot/instructor of the helicopter, Gary McMahon of Georgetown, was performing demonstration flights in a field behind St. Catherine of Alexandria Catholic School on Barber Dr. when the helicopter crashed just before 2 p.m. The passengers name was not released. Webster said the accident happened during a hover exercise about 10 to 15 feet above the ground. The crash was witnessed by Barber Dr. resi- dent Steve Harquail, who was standing on a mound of dirt with McMahons father about 100 yards from the helicopter. Harquail had spoken to the pilot earlier and was waiting his turn to go for a ride. He was chatting with the pilots father and said the noise of the engine made him look out of the corner of his eye. It was very shocking, said Harquail. The tail seemed to go down first. Then it came back up. The helicopter turned sideways and went into the ground. Editorial 6 Calendar S/L 3, 5, 6 Entertainment 14-15 Classifieds 16-19 Sports S/L 1, 2 The Town held its annual clean-up day and 20-minute makeover this past weekend. See Fridays edition to find out how many residents took part. FRIDAY... REFINANCING? PURCHASING? BOB WOODS Mortgage Specialist (905) 877-1490 *Rate subject to change 360 Guelph St., Georgetown 5.35% 5YR FIXED RATE GEORGETOWN VOTED #1 FOR CUSTOMER SERVICE 2008 KIA SEDONA FINANCE0% CALL THE GEORGETOWN HEADQUARTERS 1-866-364-0697 or 905-877-7818 Up to 60 mos 33 MOUNTAINVIEW RD. N., GEORGETOWN 905-877-6944GEORGETOWN CHEVROLET 2.2L 140 hp Ecotec, Auto, Air, Power Windows, Locks, Mirrors, Keyless Entry, Cruise. 60 month lease, 0% security deposit 2008 COBALT LT NEW 2008 MALIBU NEW 2008 SILVERADO LT NEW Take advantage of our award-winning lineup, we offer very competitive lease and finance rates here at Georgetown Chevrolet. For further information contact our Sales Representatives ~ Norman John Jeff Rick $199 $0 0.9% DOWN FINANCING 2.4L VTT Ecotec, 4 Cyl., 169 hp, 4-Wheel Disc Brakes w/ABS and Full Traction Control, Airbags, On-Star One Year Plan Vortec 4.8L V8, 295 hp, Auto with Overdrive, Locking Differential, 4 Wheel ABS, Cruise, Special Equipment Pkg. $3000 down, , 0% security deposit, 0% financing 72 months $3995 down, 0% security, 7% financing 27 months $289 2.75% $289 $22,995 ORPURCHASE PRICE $33,998 PURCHASE PRICEOR SMART LEASE $1,000 IN ACCESSORIES ON US! LEASE For breaking news go to: www.independentfreepress.com Halton Hills award-winning newspaper Halton Regional Police identification officer Mark Freeman takes pho- tos of the accident scene after a helicopter crashed in an open field behind St. Catherine of Alexandria School in Georgetown South. A Georgetown flight instructor and an Acton student were injured in the crash which occurred Saturday afternoon. Photo by Graham Paine Pilot error blamed Two hurt in helicopter crash LISA TALLYN Staff Writer See ONLOOKERS, pg. 4