Three people have died after a news helicopter crashed into the ground while covering another deadly bus accident in Los Angeles, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department. The helicopter, known as NewsChopper 4, came down in the Chatsworth area of the city as it circled the scene of the bus crash below.
The crash damaged four vehicles, and police have launched an investigation into what prompted the helicopter to fall from the sky. In a statement, police said: 'From the helicopter itself, it's pretty well destroyed.'
Helicopter was covering bus accident
NewsChopper 4 provides aerial coverage for NBC LA and the local Telemundo channel. The aircraft was circling the bus accident below when it crashed, the Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed. The incident occurred on Tuesday evening, though the exact time of the crash has not been disclosed.
Emergency services responded to the scene in Chatsworth, where the helicopter wreckage and damaged vehicles were found. The identities of the three deceased individuals have not yet been released, and authorities have not confirmed whether they were crew members or others on board.
Broadcasters express condolences
NBC and Telemundo issued a joint statement expressing their grief. 'We are deeply saddened to share that a helicopter providing aerial news coverage for NBC4 and Telemundo 52 was involved in a fatal accident in Los Angeles on Tuesday evening,' the statement read. 'We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who lost their lives.'
The statement did not provide further details about the victims or the circumstances of the crash, deferring to ongoing investigations by local authorities.
Investigation underway
The Los Angeles Police Department is leading the investigation into the cause of the helicopter crash. Officials have not yet determined whether mechanical failure, pilot error, or another factor was responsible. The damaged vehicles were parked or stationary at the time, but no further injuries have been reported among people on the ground.
The bus crash that the helicopter was covering had already resulted in fatalities, though the exact number of deaths from that incident has not been specified. The helicopter crash adds to a tragic sequence of events in the area, with authorities continuing to piece together what happened.
As the investigation progresses, NBC and Telemundo have not announced any changes to their aerial news operations. The crash serves as a reminder of the risks faced by journalists covering breaking news from the air, and the local community in Chatsworth has been left to grapple with the aftermath of two deadly incidents in close succession.
