A helicopter pilot was arrested when Nassau County police said he landed near pedestrians at Nassau Coliseum while authorities were aiding at least 100 intoxicated teenagers who fell ill during a Halloween-themed rave at the Uniondale arena Saturday night.
Police said Michael Croissant landed the Bell Model 407 helicopter on a grassy area on the west side of the coliseum where at least 20 people were walking shortly before midnight.
The 44-year-old upstate Monticello man landed the copter after he aborted the first landing attempt because of pedestrians nearby, police said.
Monticello will be arraigned Sunday on a charge of reckless endangerment at First District Court in Hempstead. His chopper was seized.
Police said the teens, all between 14 and 18, were taken to area hospitals for treatment of unspecified ailments. Their conditions were not immediately known, but there were no reported fatalites.
The chaotic scene unfolded at the Haunted Coliseum, an electronic music dance concert featuring Sebastian Ingrosso, Allesso and Otto Knows.