Los Angeles: A news helicopter crashed in a Los Angeles neighbourhood on Tuesday and burst into flames, killing at least three people while reporters were covering the nearby crash of an SUV and a city bus, officials said.
Colleen Williams, a NBC4 Los Angeles anchor, confirmed during live broadcasts that the station’s helicopter went down just before 7pm and two people onboard were killed.
Moments later, their coverage abruptly cut off.
Fire officials, Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and other politicians spoke during an evening news conference but gave no details on who died in the crash.
The helicopter crashed near a large storage facility in Chatsworth in the San Fernando Valley, as news crews were covering the bus crash that left at least two people dead and six others injured, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
At least one person killed in the helicopter crash was outside in the car park next to the commercial building, said Captain Branden Silverman, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles Fire Department.
Two people were transported to a hospital, said Rico Gross, a fire department battalion chief.
NBC has confirmed the helicopter was NewsChopper4 and was used by NBCLA and Telemundo 52. The outlet said several TV news helicopters were reporting on the bus crash before the helicopter went down about 2.4 kilometres from the bus collision.
NBC4 and Telemundo 52 Los Angeles said in a statement they were “deeply saddened” to learn of the helicopter crash and extended “heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who lost their lives”.