Pilot injured following helicopter crash in Halifax County

Virginia State Police are investigating after a pilot crashed a helicopter Saturday in Clover, Va.

Police say the pilot, later identified as Lee B. Hitly, of Alton, Va., was able to get out of the helicopter safely after it caught on fire. He was taken to the hospital for treatment of serious injuries.

A Robinson r22 Beta helicopter had just taken off from a private, grass airstrip around 10:08 p.m. but failed to gain enough altitude and struck some nearby treetops. The helicopter then crashed to the ground and caught fire.