A television news helicopter crashed and burst into flames in Los Angeles on Tuesday evening, killing at least three people and sending thick black smoke over the surrounding area.
The aircraft, believed to belong to KNBC, the city’s NBC affiliate, went down at the intersection of Prairie Street and Lurline Avenue, igniting several vehicles on the ground. The helicopter had reportedly been among a number of news aircraft covering a separate, fatal bus crash in the area at the time of the incident.
KNBC anchor Colleen Williams told viewers during the station’s live broadcast that the station had lost contact with its crew. The station later confirmed on air that the helicopter belonged to KNBC and said it would be pausing coverage to process the news; the identities of those on board had not been confirmed at the time of reporting.
The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the investigation into the cause of the crash. No further details on the circumstances have yet been released by officials.