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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.
The helicopter belonging to broadcaster KOMO went down about 07:52 local time (15:52 GMT). The helicopter belonging to broadcaster KOMO went down at 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. A man managed to free himself from a car destroyed in the accident, after suffering burns over 50% of his body, a fire department spokesman said.
KOMO said the helicopter was trying to take off when it crashed.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. "There was a huge plume of thick black smoke" when firefighters 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. Three vehicles on the street below the broadcaster's building caught fire. But firefighters 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. The man taken 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.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.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'.Are you in the area? Did you witness the crash? You can email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with the subject heading 'Seattle'.