A news helicopter crashed near the Seattle Space Needle Tuesday morning, killing at least two people and injuring at least one more.
The helicopter was reportedly operated by KOMO News, and took off from Fisher Plaza across Broad Street from the Space Needle. At least three cars were damaged. Some news outlets are reporting that some or all of the cars were hit by the helicopter, while others are noting that some may have caught fire from the crash. KOMO News reports that leaked fuel caught fire.
The Seattle Times reports that the two deceased were in the helicopter.
In the background of these initial harrowing crash pictures is the city’s iconic Space Needle, which opened in 1962 during the opening of the World’s Fair. Designed by architect John Graham based on a 1959 drawing by Edward E. Carlson of Western International Hotels, it stands at 605 feet tall.
Around 9 a.m. local time, the Seattle Police Department said on Twitter that Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board investigators were on their way to the scene.
Two dead. One critical. pic.twitter.com/UZIsjwknhR
— Deb Slater (@deb_slater) March 18, 2014
Sounds like a helicopter has crashed near the Seattle Center, causing this huge cloud of black smoke. pic.twitter.com/HSRdUqqn8x
— WSDOT Traffic (@wsdot_traffic) March 18, 2014
Minutes ago pic.twitter.com/W951au5tjt
— Deb Slater (@deb_slater) March 18, 2014
