Daijiworld Media Network – Los Angeles

Los Angeles, Sep 16: Three people were killed, including a person on the ground, after a television news helicopter crashed while covering a deadly Metro bus accident in Los Angeles, authorities said.

The Los Angeles Fire Department said one person sustained injuries in the helicopter crash and was taken to a hospital. The status of the aircraft’s crew was initially unclear.

The helicopter, reportedly operated by NBC Los Angeles (KNBC-TV), crashed near the intersection of Nordhoff Street and De Soto Avenue in the San Fernando Valley, close to the scene of an earlier collision involving a Metro bus and an SUV.

At least two people were killed in the earlier bus crash, while several others were injured. Emergency crews had been responding to the scene and rescuing people trapped inside the Metro bus when the helicopter came down nearby.

The aircraft reportedly crashed between two buildings, landing on two shipping containers and several vehicles. A large fire broke out following the crash, prompting Los Angeles firefighters to rush to the location and bring the blaze under control.

The helicopter had been providing aerial coverage of the earlier accident when it crashed. The cause of the incident was not immediately known.

KNBC-TV, also known as NBC4, is operated by NBC Los Angeles and is the network’s flagship West Coast station.

Authorities were investigating the circumstances surrounding the helicopter crash.