4 dead as Two News Helicopters Crash
Pastor Dale Morgan
July 27, 2007
*4 dead as Two News Helicopters Crash*
Tribune
Four are reported dead in a midair collision today of news helicopters
from channels 3 and 15.
The wreck occurred about 12:45 p.m. over Steele Indian School Park,
which is located at Central Avenue and Indian School Road in central
Phoenix.
The helicopters were covering a police pursuit on surface roads in
central Phoenix, according to initial reports.
The Phoenix Fire Department has confirmed that five people were inside
the two helicopters, and at least three are dead. Fire officials did not
immediately know the status of the other two people inside the helicopters.
People answering phones at KNXV (Channel 15) and KTVK (Channel 3)
newsrooms said they had no additional information. They hung up without
identifying themselves.
One witness at the scene said she was at a barbecue with her family at
the park when she looked up and saw one helicopter “undercut” the other
one, causing both to spin out of control.
Another witness said she she heard a loud “boom! boom!” and initially
thought she had heard gunshots. But then she said she saw a massive
explosion in the park with flames and thick smoke.
ABC 15 news director Joe Hengemuehler was at the scene by 1:45 p.m. The
station said it will release a statement in 90 minutes.