SEATTLE (AP) — Two people were killed when a news helicopter for KOMO-TV crashed outside its station near the Seattle Space Needle, sending clouds of black smoke over the city during the morning rush hour.
The Seattle Fire Department said in addition to the fatalities, a 37-year-old man who managed to free himself from a car at the accident scene was taken to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition. No other details were immediately available.
The station says the copter was apparently lifting off from its rooftop Tuesday morning when it possibly hit the side of the building and went down, hitting several vehicles on Broad Street.
The copter and cars exploded in flames.
Plumes of black smoke rose from the crash scene as rescue vehicles converged on the area.
.@komonews confirms the helicopter was lifting off at the time of the crash.
— Micah Grimes (@MicahGrimes) March 18, 2014
"We heard the chopper swirling down to the ground. Rushed out to see … our @komonews chopper crashing into at least 2 cars" –@KellyKOMO4
— ABC News (@ABC) March 18, 2014
My thoughts are with our @komonews colleagues as they cover a story involving their own today.
— Micah Grimes (@MicahGrimes) March 18, 2014
Fire by the space needle #spaceneedle #fire #seattle pic.twitter.com/rrS2MjgpUx
— Richard Tarenta (@RTarenta) March 18, 2014
BREAKING: Seattle Police: A helicopter has crashed near the Space Needle: pic.twitter.com/btA7oJMecy
— Micah Grimes (@MicahGrimes) March 18, 2014
UPDATE: @komonews: News helicopter was taking off when it crashed near Space Needle: http://t.co/TyDU3dLjrR pic.twitter.com/11HbOx9BRY
— Micah Grimes (@MicahGrimes) March 18, 2014
Seattle Fire: 2 dead, 1 victim pulled from vehicle after fiery helicopter crash: http://t.co/1N999sJqy7 pic.twitter.com/KuBtKDJJvA – @ABC
— Micah Grimes (@MicahGrimes) March 18, 2014
PHOTO: Helicopter crashes near Seattle's Space Needle – pic.twitter.com/519Ax4nEQ3 (via @KIRO7Seattle)
— Michael van Poppel (@mpoppel) March 18, 2014
A chopper has crashed near Fisher Plaza. A car is on fire. We will have updates on http://t.co/6Abb2NF1PO. pic.twitter.com/DVHd4H5iQ5
— KIRO 7 (@KIRO7Seattle) March 18, 2014
Firefighters say two were killed in the chopper crash. Live coverage on KIRO 7 and on your phone here: http://t.co/Dr5JrNy2xi
— KIRO 7 (@KIRO7Seattle) March 18, 2014
Massive smoke plume outside of @KIRO7Seattle and Space Needle in Seattle… On the way pic.twitter.com/wqS6Ale2ta
— Rob Munoz (@KIRO7Rob) March 18, 2014
News Helicopter crash DT Seattle — 2 cars involved @KIRO7Seattle pic.twitter.com/TuLmGzHXFO
— Rob Munoz (@KIRO7Rob) March 18, 2014
Chopper crash DT Seattle — @KIRO7Seattle pic.twitter.com/JfSY5vJTPG
— Rob Munoz (@KIRO7Rob) March 18, 2014