LOS ANGELES, United States — A helicopter crashed into a parking lot in Los Angeles on Tuesday, killing at least three people and injuring another, authorities said.
The crash occurred near the scene of an earlier deadly collision involving a city bus and an SUV, although authorities have not indicated that the two incidents were connected.
The Los Angeles Fire Department said the helicopter came down in or near parked vehicles in a parking lot serving a large one-story building.
Victims’ Identities Not Immediately Clear
Authorities were still working to determine how many people were aboard the helicopter when it crashed.
Los Angeles Fire Department Capt. Branden Silverman said at least one of those killed was outside the helicopter in the parking lot.
“We’re trying to determine how many patients were inside the helicopter,” Silverman said during a news conference.
He described the aircraft as “pretty well destroyed”, with firefighters expected to sift through the wreckage to establish the number of victims on board.
Another person was taken to hospital following the crash, although their condition was not immediately available.
More Than 50 Firefighters Respond
More than 50 firefighters responded to the helicopter crash, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The crash sparked a fire that damaged four vehicles and two storage containers. Firefighters had extinguished the blaze by Tuesday evening.
Investigators and emergency crews were continuing to work through the wreckage as authorities sought to establish the circumstances of the crash and identify those who died.
NTSB and FAA to Investigate
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will investigate the helicopter crash.
The cause of the crash had not been established.
Officials were also yet to say what type of helicopter was involved or whether mechanical failure, weather or other factors played a role.
The investigation is expected to examine the aircraft, flight history, wreckage and other evidence to determine what led to the crash.
Deadly Bus Crash Earlier in the Day
Hours before the helicopter crash, an SUV collided with a city bus in Los Angeles, killing two people and injuring six others.
Images from the scene showed roughly half of the SUV lodged into the side of an MTA bus as firefighters worked to rescue those involved.
The bus crash and helicopter crash occurred in the same general area, but officials have not established any connection between the two incidents.
The two crashes brought a heavy emergency response to the area as authorities dealt with separate fatal incidents on the same day.
Investigation Underway
Emergency crews remained at the helicopter crash site as investigators began documenting the wreckage.
Officials are expected to provide further information on the victims, the helicopter, and the circumstances leading to the crash as the investigation progresses.
For now, authorities have not established the cause of the helicopter crash or determined the full number of people who were aboard the aircraft.
