Cedars May Release Kirk Douglas Today
Actor Kirk Douglas, 72, injured in a collision between a helicopter and a small plane above Santa Paula Airport last week, will be released from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles today or Monday, a hospital spokesman said Saturday.
Helicopter pilot Noel Blanc, who also was injured in the crash, was in serious but stable condition Saturday at Santa Paula Memorial Hospital. Blanc, the son of well-known cartoon voice Mel Blanc, underwent surgery Friday to repair a broken leg. “He’s . . . improving every day,” a hospital spokeswoman said.
The crash occurred about 3:30 p.m. Wednesday just after the helicopter carrying Douglas and Blanc lifted off the airport helipad. Instead of heading south over the Santa Clara riverbed--the normal route for helicopters--it apparently flew north over the airport’s only runway and into the path of a Pitts Aerobatic that was taking off.
Lee Manelski, a veteran instructor and pilot, and a passenger were killed in the crash.
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