A deadly collision between an SUV and a Metro bus was followed less than two hours later by a fatal news helicopter crash nearby in Chatsworth.
At least five people were killed in two separate crashes in Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley on Tuesday evening, authorities and local media reported.
The first incident occurred shortly after 5 p.m. at the intersection of West Nordhoff Street and De Soto Avenue in the Chatsworth area. A sport utility vehicle collided with a Los Angeles Metro bus, killing at least two people and injuring several others.
Firefighters responded to the scene and worked to free passengers who were trapped inside the bus. The circumstances leading to the collision remained under investigation, and officials did not immediately provide a complete account of how the crash occurred.
While multiple news and police helicopters were monitoring the bus crash from the air, a helicopter went down nearby shortly before 7 p.m. The aircraft crashed between commercial buildings on North Mason Avenue, triggering a fire that spread to nearby vehicles and storage containers.
The helicopter was later identified as NBC4’s NewsChopper4, which was providing aerial coverage of the bus collision. Reporter Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw were among those killed. A third person also died, while one survivor was taken to a hospital, according to KTLA.
The two crashes occurred less than a quarter-mile apart, creating a large emergency response involving firefighters, police officers and medical crews. Video from the area showed flames and debris after the helicopter struck the ground.
The exact number of victims in the bus crash was not consistent across the reports reviewed. CBS Los Angeles initially reported two deaths and numerous injuries, while KTLA reported three deaths and six hospitalizations. The circumstances of the helicopter crash, including whether it was related to the aerial coverage operation or another factor, had not been established.
The National Transportation Safety Board is leading the helicopter investigation and said an investigator was expected to arrive at the scene the following morning. Authorities had not announced the cause of either crash.
NBC4 and Telemundo 52 expressed condolences to the victims’ families, friends and colleagues. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Gov. Gavin Newsom also acknowledged the loss of life in both incidents.
KEY FACTS:
● An SUV collided with a Los Angeles Metro bus shortly after 5 p.m. at Nordhoff Street and De Soto Avenue in Chatsworth.
● Reports confirmed multiple fatalities and injuries in the bus crash, but the reported death toll differed between outlets.
● A nearby NBC4 news helicopter crashed before 7 p.m., killing reporter Eliana Moreno, pilot George Marciniw and another person.
● One helicopter crash survivor was taken to a hospital, according to KTLA.
● The NTSB is investigating the helicopter crash.
SOURCES:
● CBS News Los Angeles – Metro bus crash report
● The New York Times – Los Angeles news helicopter crash
● KTLA – Helicopter crash near L.A. Metro bus collision
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