Helicopter Crash: News choppers crash in Seattle, killing two people

A news helicopter has crashed onto a busy street near Seattle’s famous Space Needle, killing two people on board and critically injuring a motorist.

Only the tail of the helicopter could be identified among the burnt metal after fire crews put out the blaze. The chopper reportedly belonged to KOMO-TV. Witnesses say it was attempting to lift off from the station’s rooftop when it crashed. Three vehicles were hit when the helicopter came down.

A man inside one of the cars managed to free himself and was taken to hospital with burns on more than 50 per cent of his body. After the crash, firefighters were cleaning up spilled fuel, which left a strong smell in the area. The Seattle Fire Department has said it will fully investigate what might have caused the accident.

Difficult words: blaze (fire), chopper (helicopter), KOMO-TV (a news station in Seattle).