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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 at about 07:52 local time (15:52 GMT). | |
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 firefighters arrived, said fire department spokesman Kyle Moore. | |
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 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'. |