Helicopter Crashes In Fireball At Bus Crash Scene, Killing 3 After 2 Already D!ed

At least three people have died after an NBC4 news helicopter crashed in the Los Angeles area, with the incident occurring near the scene of an earlier fatal bus collision.

According to reports, the helicopter went down at about 7 p.m. on Tuesday, September 15, along the 9100 block of Mason Avenue, between two commercial buildings. The crash triggered a fire that engulfed the aircraft and several nearby vehicles.

The Los Angeles Fire Department said two of the victims were believed to have been aboard the helicopter, while the third was likely a pedestrian who was outside the aircraft at the time of the crash.

One other person survived the helicopter incident and was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition, according to the fire department.

The crash was particularly distressing for NBC4 staff because it occurred while the station was covering the aftermath of an earlier fatal road accident in the area.

Longtime NBC4 anchor Colleen Williams became emotional while reporting on the developing incident, telling viewers, “We have lost contact with our people.”

Emergency crews were already at the location dealing with the earlier accident when the helicopter crashed nearby. Firefighters subsequently battled flames from the helicopter and burning vehicles.

The earlier accident, involving a Metro bus and another vehicle, had occurred shortly after 5 p.m. near Nordhoff Street and De Soto Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

At least two people were killed in that collision, while six others were injured and transported to hospitals. Their conditions were not immediately known.

With the three fatalities from the helicopter crash added to the two deaths from the earlier bus collision, the combined death toll from the two incidents rose to five.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass described the events as a heartbreaking night for the city and expressed condolences to the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives.

“This is a heartbreaking night for our city. My thoughts and prayers are with the families and the loved ones we lost today,” Bass said during a press conference near the scene Tuesday night.

Authorities are expected to continue investigating the circumstances surrounding both crashes.