Helicopter Crash Near Seattle Space Needle: There are at least two people dead on arrival at the hospital and one was hurt when a news helicopter crashed Tuesday morning at Fisher Plaza near the city's famed Space Needle, report from Los Angeles Times said.
KOMO-TV confirmed that its helicopter had crashed on take-off, hit at least two vehicles and burned outside its station. Two people were pronounced dead at the scene.
The Seattle Times reports that the helicopter crashed near the City's around 7:45 a.m. local time, hitting at least three cars on the ground at Fisher Plaza and the TV station. Flames could be seen from the site, with smoke rising as high as the Space Needle.
A 37-year-old man managed to pull himself from one of the cars and was taken to Harborview Medical Center. Officials said that his condition was not immediately available.
Seattle Fire spokesman Kyle Moore said, that the man has burns over more than 50% of his body and is clinging to life in critical condition at Harborview Medical Center.
Taylor Van Cise, an anchor for KOMO-FM radio said "The helicopter had some kind of problem taking off. There is the smell of jet fuel. There are fire trucks, police cars and motorcycles all over."
"We can see where the helicopter went down," he added. "We can see the tail of the helicopter in an SUV. It's a pretty dramatic scene."
Police cars and fire engines blocked surrounding streets of the crash site during the morning rush hour.
"Prayers for my S Sound photog partner & family. He's told his dad was on board." a KOMO staff member a reporter at the local NBC affiliate.
One woman who witnessed the crash said, "I headed to the window and saw a huge fireball. I saw someone emerge from a vehicle clearly on fire.... this is incredibly surreal, right outside our own building."
According to KOMO, local authorities have closed streets in the area. Fire crews were able to extinguish the flames within a half-hour.
Plumes of black smoke rose from the crash scene as rescue vehicles converged on the area.
