Photojournalist Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw have been identified among three people killed after an NBC Los Angeles news helicopter crashed in the Chatsworth area of Los Angeles on Tuesday.
The helicopter, known as NewsChopper4 and also used by Telemundo 52, was covering a separate traffic collision in which an SUV struck a city bus, killing two people and injuring six others.
The helicopter crashed shortly before 7pm local time between two commercial buildings. Los Angeles Fire Department officials said an unidentified pedestrian was also killed in the helicopter crash, while two other people were taken to hospital.
More than 70 firefighters responded after the crash, with flames spreading to four vehicles and two storage containers. The cause of the crash has not yet been established.
NBC Los Angeles anchor Colleen Williams confirmed during an emotional live broadcast that the helicopter belonged to the station and that contact with its crew had been lost before the crash was confirmed.
Tributes have since been paid to the victims by colleagues across the Los Angeles news industry. CBS Los Angeles assignment editor Mike Rogers described the incident as devastating for the small community of news helicopter crews.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed condolences to the victims and their families, while California Governor Gavin Newsom also offered support to the NBC4 staff and praised first responders.
The National Transportation Safety Board will lead the investigation into the crash.
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