Two die in television news helicopter crash

The accident, involving a KOMO-TV aircraft, sent clouds of black smoke over the city during the morning rush hour.

The Seattle Fire Department said in addition to the fatalities a man who managed to free himself from a car at the accident scene was taken to hospital.

The 37-year-old was taken to Harborview Medical Centre in a critical condition, it said.

The TV station said the helicopter was apparently lifting off from its rooftop when it possibly hit the side of the building and went down, hitting several vehicles on Broad Street.

The aircraft and cars exploded in flames. Plumes of black smoke rose from the crash scene as rescue vehicles converged on the area. A spokeswoman for Harborview Medical Centre, Susan Gregg, said the facility had received no other victims from the crash.

Only the tail of the helicopter could be identified among the burned metal on the street next to the Seattle Centre. Also among the wreckage were three burned-out cars. An hour after the crash, firefighters had put out the fire and were cleaning up spilled fuel, which left a strong smell in the area.

In addition to being near the city’s iconic Space Needle, the crash site is by the EMP Museum, the music and culture museum founded by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. The Seattle Centre is popular with tourists and locals, and is the site of many music and cultural festivals and sporting activities.

Kristopher Reynolds, a contractor working nearby, saw the crash. He said the helicopter lifted about 5ft and looked like it was about to clear the building when it tilted. It looked like it was trying to correct itself and then took a dive downward, he said.

“Next thing I know, it went into a ball of flames,” he said.