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Two dead in Seattle news helicopter crash near Space Needle Two dead in Seattle news helicopter crash near Space Needle
(35 minutes later)
Two people were killed when a news helicopter crashed in central Seattle at the foot of the landmark Space Needle, fire officials have said.Two people were killed when a news helicopter crashed in central Seattle at the foot of the landmark Space Needle, fire officials have said.
A third person has been taken to hospital in critical condition, the Seattle Fire Department said. The helicopter belonging to broadcaster KOMO went down about 07:52 local time (15:52 GMT).
The helicopter belonged to broadcaster KOMO, which says it was trying to take off when it crashed. A man in a car destroyed in the crash suffered severe burns and is hospital in critical condition, while two others escaped without serious injury.
It said the helicopter hit the side of the building and then went down, hitting several vehicles. KOMO said the helicopter was trying to take off when it crashed.
Television footage from the scene shows a destroyed car burning alongside the helicopter wreckage on a Seattle street. "There was a huge plume of thick black smoke" when fire fighters arrived, said fire department spokesman Kyle Moore.
People in the area reported seeing a huge cloud of smoke near the Space Needle as firefighters and police responded to the area. Three vehicles on the street below the broadcaster's building caught on fire. But fire fighters prevented a fuel spill from the crash from entering the sewer system.
The man who was brought to hospital was in one of the cars, but managed to pull himself out, fire officials said. The man brought to hospital was in one of the vehicles but managed to pull himself out despite having burns over 50% of his body, Mr Moore said.
He said investigators had no indication the helicopter struck a building.
A witness told KOMO the engine of the helicopter "sounded extra heavy" as it started up and he heard an explosion seconds later.A witness told KOMO the engine of the helicopter "sounded extra heavy" as it started up and he heard an explosion seconds later.
Police have told Seattle drivers to stay out of the city centre. Police have told Seattle drivers to stay out of the city centre. The National Safety Transportation Board has launched an investigation into the crash.
Are you in the area? Did you witness the crash? You can email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with the subject heading 'Seattle'.