Three individuals lost their lives on Tuesday following a helicopter crash in the Chatsworth district of suburban Los Angeles, according to city fire officials. The aircraft descended between two commercial structures shortly before 19:00 local time near the intersection of Lurline Avenue and Nordhoff Street.
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) reported that the impact ignited a fire involving shipping containers and vehicles. Firefighters successfully extinguished the blaze. One person was extracted from the scene and transported to a local hospital, though their current condition has not been disclosed.
LAFD Captain Branden Silverman confirmed that one fatality occurred on-site. “We do have one confirmed patient that seemed to be outside of the helicopter when it crashed,” Silverman told CBS Los Angeles. “That person was declared deceased on scene.”
Local media outlets suggest the aircraft was a news helicopter operating near the site of a separate fatal accident involving a bus and an SUV. Earlier in the day, that collision resulted in two deaths and six injuries in the same Chatsworth area, which may explain the presence of multiple news helicopters overhead.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) stated on the social media platform X that investigations are ongoing and details regarding the number of people aboard or the ownership of the helicopter have not yet been released.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass expressed her grief over the tragedies unfolding in the city. “I am absolutely devastated by the loss of life in Chatsworth tonight,” Bass wrote on X. “My heart is with the families and loved ones of those we lost in the tragic bus collision and helicopter crash.”
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has been assigned to lead the investigation into the cause of the helicopter crash.
Were there really three people on board? The article mentions one outside, but doesn’t specify total passengers. Very strange detail.
I saw the bus crash footage earlier. Talk about a double tragedy for Chatsworth. Hope the survivor pulls through.
This is absolutely horrifying. My heart goes out to the families of all those victims in such a small area.