Fireball over city: Helicopter flies into radio mast - four people die
Houston (Texas/USA) - Devastating. Four people were killed ina helicopter accident in the US metropolis of Houston (Texas). The helicopter collided with a radio mast and fell to the ground on fire.
Undeterred, the helicopter flew towards the huge steel structure. Suddenly, an enormous fireball lit up the sky over Houston and the helicopter crashed to the ground.
It is a devastating accident that took place on Sunday evening at 7.54 p.m. (local time) in the Texas metropolis of Houston, reported the Fox News channel.
None of the four people on board the Robinson R44 helicopter survived the accident, and a child is among the dead.
In the seconds after the accident, the tower collapsed and debris buried the wreckage of the helicopter. There was a power cut around the accident site. The emergency services were on site with a large contingent.
Video: Helicopter falls to the ground on fire
Pictures: Helicopter accident in Houston claims four lives
"It could have been worse," emphasizes the mayor of Houston
As "tragic" as the accident is, "it could have been worse", emphasized John Whitmire, the mayor of Houston.
The crash site is located in the middle of a residential area, with a gas tank in the immediate vicinity. However: "The fireball was quite isolated," said the mayor of the city with a population of 2.3 million. "The residents are safe, but we have a terrible accident site."
Meanwhile, eyewitnesses reported how the crash had shaken their homes. "It felt like an earthquake," said one resident. The lights in the house went on and off.
The reason for the accident is now to be investigated by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). According to initial information, the helicopter involved in the accident was flying for a private operator.