News helicopter crash in LA kills three - US authorities

A news helicopter covering a deadly bus crash in Los Angeles crashed, killing three people, according to US authorities. The incident occurred in a neighborhood northwest of downtown, following the fatal collision between an SUV and a bus in the Chatsworth area. The bus crash resulted in the deaths of three individuals and numerous injuries.

Reporters on the scene of the bus accident reported hearing a loud bang and witnessing the helicopter crash nearby, emitting plumes of smoke. Aerial footage depicted a significant fire involving shipping containers, vehicles, and the wreckage of the helicopter. The Los Angeles Fire Department confirmed the identity of the aircraft as a media chopper, and NBC4's Colleen Williams later reported live that it was their own news station's helicopter that had crashed.

Four patients were assessed at the scene, with three being pronounced deceased on site, and one person was transported to a local hospital in an unknown condition. Initial reports suggested that one of the deceased may have been a pedestrian caught in the crash. Los Angeles, being America's second-largest city and a highly competitive media market, frequently employs aerial coverage for various incidents, including fires and dramatic car chases.

Typically, two people – the pilot and the reporter-camera operator – occupy a news media helicopter, with the latter often providing live reports from the sky.