News helicopter crashes in Los Angeles, leaving 3 dead, 1 hospitalized

Three people are dead and one person is hospitalized after a news helicopter crashed Tuesday night in Los Angeles, authorities said.

The Los Angeles Fire Department said more than 70 firefighters responded just before 7 p.m. to the crash between two commercial buildings at 9151 N. Mason Ave. in Chatsworth.

NBC Los Angeles confirmed that the helicopter involved was its NewsChopper4. The aircraft was providing aerial coverage of a deadly crash involving a bus and an SUV in the Chatsworth area of Los Angeles when it went down.

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Three people were pronounced dead at the scene of the helicopter crash and a fourth was transported to a local hospital in unknown condition, according to the department.

One of the victims was a pedestrian in the parking lot, according to LAFD Capt. Branden Silverman. The other two victims were aboard the helicopter and have since been identified as Angel City Air employees Eliana Moreno and George Marciniw, according to NBC4.

Moreno was an aerial photojournalist for NBC4 and its Spanish-language sister station, Telemundo 52. She joined Angel City Air’s helicopter team in 2010 after graduating from Chapman University with a degree in broadcast journalism and political science, according to the station.

Marciniw, the helicopter’s pilot, grew up in Southern California and graduated from Burbank High School, according to NBC4.

The crash sparked a fire that damaged four vehicles and two storage containers before firefighters extinguished the flames, according to LAFD. No nearby structures were exposed to the fire.

The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration said it will be investigating the cause of the helicopter crash and would be sending one of its investigators on Wednesday.

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Local outlets reported that several TV news helicopters were in the area covering a Metro bus crash that left at least two people dead and multiple others hospitalized.

Colleen Williams, an anchor for NBC4, confirmed on air that the station’s NewsChopper4 had crashed.

“We are going to take a couple of minutes to think about that, process it,” Williams said, before the station’s coverage cut away.

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NBC4 and Telemundo 52 issued a joint statement following the deadly helicopter crash.

“We are deeply saddened to share that a helicopter providing aerial news coverage for NBC4 and Telemundo 52 was involved in a fatal accident in Los Angeles on Tuesday evening. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who lost their lives.”

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass mourned the victims of both crashes.

“I’m absolutely devastated by the loss of life in Chatsworth tonight,” Bass said in a statement. “My heart is with the families and loved ones of those we lost in the tragic bus collision and helicopter crash.”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom also responded to the deadly crashes.

“Our hearts are with the victims and families of tonight’s devastating Metro bus and helicopter crashes in Chatsworth, and with the entire NBC4 family,” Newsom said. “Thank you to the first responders working tirelessly tonight.”