This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-26634632
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
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. |
The helicopter belonging to broadcaster KOMO went down about 07:52 local time (15:52 GMT). | |
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. | |
KOMO said the helicopter was trying to take off when it crashed. | |
"There was a huge plume of thick black smoke" when fire fighters arrived, said fire department spokesman Kyle Moore. | |
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 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. 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'. |