WATCH (above): A fiery helicopter crash in downtown Seattle killed two people today, and critically injured another. Ted Chernecki reports.
A TV news helicopter crashed in downtown Seattle Tuesday morning, killing two people and sending one person to hospital.
It happened at about 7:50 a.m. near Fisher Plaza, which is near the Space Needle and is home to Seattle’s KOMO-TV.
KOMO has confirmed that it is the station’s helicopter, and have identified both people killed in the crash.
Bill’s son also works at KOMO.
Employees at KOMO, which remained broadcasting live on the air, were sending out tweets about their colleagues being on board the helicopter:
There were three cars involved in the crash as well. A 37-year-old man who was in one of those cars and was able to pull himself out, has been taken to Harborview Medical Centre in critical condition. He has burns to over 50 per cent of his body. Two people walked away from the two other vehicles and are now being questioned by authorities.
Kyle Moore from the Seattle Fire Department says they have searched the wreckage and as far as they can tell, there was no one else involved the crash. They are looking for the driver of a silver pick-up truck who was seen speeding away from the scene, and Moore says they just want to speak to the driver to get some more information on what happened.
The chopper was being used in a joint partnership between KOMO and King 5, and was a lease from Helicopters Inc. The helicopter was taking off when it crashed, and witnesses say the helicopter made one full rotation before the nose went down. Moore says it does not appear the chopper hit a building or any power lines.
Bo Bain, who works in the area, says he saw the helicopter come in to land on the building at Fisher Plaza, then takeoff shortly after. He says the chopper then made a “strange noise” before it seemed to lose control, clip some trees and go down.
“On behalf of Seattle I want to express my deepest condolence,” says Seattle Mayor Ed Murray.
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“When you look at a site like that you can’t help but think about the families and those who lost their lives.”
Murray says it was a reminder that people in the media, at home and abroad, put themselves at risk every day to bring news and information to the people.
Residents and visitors are being advised to stay away from the area:
The Monorail is out of service until further notice. The Space Needle and SkyCity will also be closed on Tuesday.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are on scene and will be investigating what happened. Murray says the area could be locked down for as many as five days. Information about closures will be updated on the city’s website.
GALLERY: Many people have taken to social media to share images and express shock at what has happened:
http://storify.com/amyjudd/komo-news-helicopter-crashes-in-downtown-seattle
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