Kory and Oaklee Toone Survive Helicopter Crash Near Timber Lakes, Wasatch County – January 18, 2026 Incident

On January 18, 2026, near Timber Lakes in Wasatch County, Utah, Kory Toone and his daughter, Oaklee Toone, survived a helicopter crash that authorities say could have easily turned fatal. The aircraft went down shortly after takeoff Sunday afternoon, reportedly spinning out of control and falling nearly 500 feet before striking trees near Wolf Creek Campground. Four individuals were on board, including the pilot and his wife. Despite the severity of the descent and impact, all survived.

During the fall, Kory Toone recorded video inside the cabin. Audio captured after the phone was dropped documented his efforts to steady his daughter as the aircraft descended. He sustained serious chest injuries, later describing the force of impact as overwhelming. Oaklee Toone suffered a head injury. Both have since been released from the hospital and face a period of recovery. Snowmobilers who witnessed the crash, including a nurse, assisted at the scene before Wasatch County Search and Rescue teams arrived. Federal investigators continue to examine the cause of the mechanical failure. For the Toone family, survival has altered perspective; the focus has shifted from routine concerns to the simple fact of continued life.