Seattle fans witnessed a startling near‑miss on Monday night when a pregame fireworks display at Lumen Field almost struck four U.S. Army UH‑60M Black Hawk helicopters. The helicopters, belonging to the 2nd Battalion, 158th Aviation Regiment, were flying over the stadium as part of a ceremonial fly‑over before the Seattle Seahawks hosted the Chicago Bears.
Fireworks timing error creates close call
According to video footage shared online, the fourth helicopter had not yet cleared the stadium when the fireworks ignited. The bright bursts rose directly toward the aircraft, coming within a few feet of the rotor blades before the display was halted. Officials later confirmed the timing error was an isolated mishap and no injuries occurred.
Seahawks suffer a tough defeat
The near‑collision foreshadowed a difficult game for Seattle. The Seahawks fell 34‑17 to the Bears, allowing 34 points – the most they have given up all season. Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams threw for 237 yards, while the Bears amassed 363 total yards, surpassing their previous season‑high by 62 yards. Seattle’s offense managed just 252 yards, the second‑lowest total of the year.
Special teams also struggled, as the Bears blocked a Seattle field‑goal attempt. The loss dropped the Seahawks to a 4‑4 record, a stark contrast to their Super Bowl victory just eight games earlier. If the season were to end today, Seattle would miss the playoffs.
Looking ahead
Despite the setback, Seahawks head coach will look to rebound when the team faces the Arizona Cardinals (3‑5) on Sunday at 4:25 p.m. ET. Fans hope the team can correct both on‑field performance and pregame safety oversights.
Safety measures moving forward
The incident has prompted stadium officials and military coordinators to review safety protocols for future fly‑overs and fireworks displays. Ensuring proper timing and clear communication between event organizers and the armed services will be essential to prevent similar close calls.
Seattle residents and Seahawks supporters are encouraged to stay informed about upcoming game-day events and any adjustments to pregame entertainment plans.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
