Three killed as NBC News helicopter crashes while covering fatal LA bus accident

At least three people have been killed after a local NBC News helicopter crashed and caught fire in a Los Angeles neighbourhood while covering a nearby fatal bus accident.

The helicopter went down shortly before 7 p.m. on Tuesday in Chatsworth, in the San Fernando Valley, according to officials and NBC4 Los Angeles.

NBC4 anchor Colleen Williams confirmed during a live broadcast that the station’s helicopter had crashed and that two people aboard were killed.

The crash occurred near a large storage facility, where news crews had gathered to cover an accident involving an SUV and a city bus that left at least two people dead and six others injured, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.

At least one of those killed in the helicopter crash was outside the aircraft in a parking lot beside the commercial building, LAFD Captain Branden Silverman said.

Fire department Battalion Chief Rico A. Gross said two people were taken to hospital following the helicopter crash. Their conditions were not immediately known.

Officials, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, addressed reporters at a news conference but did not immediately provide details on the identities of those killed.