Three people were killed after a helicopter used by NBC and Telemundo affiliates crashed in a Los Angeles neighborhood Tuesday and burst into flames.
The helicopter was in flight covering a collision between an SUV and a city bus that had occurred earlier that day. While covering the scene, the helicopter appeared to start swaying, eventually losing altitude and hitting the ground in the Chatsworth area of the San Fernando Valley. No immediate details were released on what may have caused the helicopter to crash.
Two victims were killed in the chopper: Eliana Moreno, a voice for NBC4 and Telemundo 52, and George Marciniw, the pilot.
At least one other victim, an unidentified pedestrian near the crash site, was killed by the crash, and two others were hospitalized, according to authorities. The conditions of the hospitalized victims are not known.
“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. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who lost their lives,” NBC4 and Telemundo 52 said in a joint statement.
Colleen Williams, an NBC4 Los Angeles anchor, confirmed the deaths of Moreno and Marciniw during live broadcasts.
“We are going to take a couple of minutes to think about that, process it,” Williams said, visibly emotional.
Lynette Romero, co-anchor of NBC LA’s morning newscast, said Moreno and Marciniw were “both doing what they loved so much, and for me, that’s comfort in knowing how happy they were.”
“They loved breaking news, and they loved being in News Chopper 4,” Romero said Wednesday on NBC’s “Today” show.
LA Mayor Karen Bass said it was “a tragic night for Los Angeles.”
“My thoughts are with those impacted by the bus collision and the helicopter crash, and with the entire NBC4 family who lost members of their team while they were doing their jobs,” Bass said on X.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom also expressed condolences to those affected by the incident.
“Our hearts are with the victims and families of tonight’s devastating Metro bus and helicopter crashes in Chatsworth, and with the entire NBC4 family,” Newsom said in a statement on X. “Thank you to the first responders working tirelessly tonight.”
Officials say National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration investigators will begin determining the cause of the helicopter crash.
