Officials confirmed two people are dead and one in serious condition after a news helicopter crashed near the Space Needle in Seattle Tuesday around 10 a.m. local time.
ABC affiliate KOMO confirmed its news helicopter crashed on Broad Street, hitting at least two cars. KING has video from a witness on the scene.
“Oh my god the cars going to go!”
“That fuel is coming down the road you guys, stay back.” (Via KING)
Witnesses say the the helicopter crashed as it was taking off from the helipad on the roof of Fisher Plaza. (Via KOMO)
KOMO identified the two victims as pilot Gary Pfitzner who co-workers described as always having a smile on his face and photographer Bill Strothman who had retired from the station but still worked as a freelance employee. (Via Twitter / @komonews)
KGW-TV reports the one person in serious condition was a man in his thirties who received burns on half of body. He was in his car at the time of the crash and was immediately taken to the hospital.
The cause of the crash is still under investigation. But KOMO said the helicopter that crashed was a temporary replacement because the station helicopter was getting repaired.
