LAFD captain said one person was on ground when helicopter crashed

NBC Los Angeles confirmed its NewsChopper4, which also operated for Telemundo 52, had crashed in the Chatsworth neighborhood while in the area reporting on a deadly bus crash. The station’s hosts named the two people aboard — journalist Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw — and described them as “valued friends and colleagues.” The hosts said a third victim was on the ground at the time of the crash but did not name them.

The Los Angeles Fire Department said the helicopter went down just before 19:00 local time (01:00 BST) between two commercial buildings in Chatsworth. The department reported that fire from the crash spread to four vehicles and two storage containers and that more than 70 firefighters were deployed to the scene. Two other people were taken to hospital, the LAFD added.

LAFD Captain Branden Silverman told the local affiliate of BBC’s US partner CBS that one person appeared to be outside the helicopter when it crashed. “We do have one confirmed patient that seemed to be outside of the helicopter when it crashed. That person was declared deceased on scene,” Silverman said.

During emotional live coverage on NBC4, veteran news anchor Colleen Williams confirmed it was the local news station’s helicopter that crashed. “We knew it was a news chopper. We knew we’d lost contact with our people out there, and we’ve just received confirmation,” Williams said.

The helicopter had been in the area covering a fatal collision earlier in the day, in which an SUV crashed into a city bus in Chatsworth, killing two people and injuring six others, BBC’s US partner CBS reported. Several news helicopters were at the scene reporting on the bus crash at the time of the helicopter incident.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass wrote on X that she was “absolutely devastated by the loss of life in Chatsworth tonight.” “My heart is with the families and loved ones of those we lost in the tragic bus collision and helicopter crash,” Bass added.

California Governor Gavin Newsom wrote on X that “our hearts are with the victims and families of tonight’s devastating Metro bus and helicopter crashes in Chatsworth, and with the entire NBC4 family.” “Thank you to the first responders working tirelessly tonight,” Newsom added.

The LAPD’s Central Division posted on X that it extended “thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and colleagues of KNBC 4, Los Angeles.”

The National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation into the incident.