3 Dead In TV Helicopter Crash Near Scene Of Fatal SUV-Metro Bus Collision: Authorities

LOS ANGELES — A helicopter from a television station crashed Tuesday evening in Chatsworth, killing three people, while responding to the scene of a collision between a passenger vehicle and a Metro bus that killed another three and injured several more, according to authorities.

The copter went down between two commercial buildings just before 7 p.m. in the 9100 block of North Mason Avenue, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department, which reported an hour later that three people died at the scene and one person was taken to a local hospital in unknown condition.

NBC4 reported that it was unable to make contact with its helicopter crew.

The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration will investigate.

A total of 56 firefighters responded, the department said. Four vehicles and two storage containers were damaged by the blaze. The fire was extinguished an hour after the crash.

The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed to City News Service that the helicopter that crashed near the site of the SUV-Metro bus collision was from a television station.

The initial vehicular crash occurred around 5 p.m. in the area of Nordhoff Street and De Soto Avenue, authorities said.

An SUV plowed into the side of the bus, according to KTLA footage from the scene.

Firefighters were extricating trapped victims and assessing all passengers on the bus, according to the department, and six injured victims were taken to local hospitals. The department initially reported two fatalities, but that number later rose to three, Metro confirmed to City News Service.

A crisis response team was notified and the intersection was shut down, authorities said.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

City News Service contributed to this story.