KOMO TV Helicopter Crash Near Seattle Space Needle Kills 2

It is a sad day in Seattle; a photojournalist and a helicopter pilot were lost, a man on the ground was burned and injured, but lived.

KOMO News photographer Bill Strothman and pilot Gary Pfitzner

(SEATTLE) - A news helicopter crashed near the Space Needle in Seattle on Tuesday, killing at least two people and seriously injuring one person. The helicopter apparently made one full rotation after takeoff and crashed into three cars around 7:40 a.m. PT.

Former longtime KOMO News photographer Bill Strothman and pilot Gary Pfitzner were identified Tuesday as the two victims killed in the crash of the station's news helicopter, KOMO reports.

The Seattle Fire Department tweeted there were "two DOAs" at the crash scene.

The Seattle Fire Department also tweeted that a 37-year-old male has been taken to Harborview Medical Center in critical condition.

An eyewitness said one person was running from the scene with his shirt on fire. He was extinguished by officers at the scene.

Kelly Koopmans, a reporter and anchor at KOMO 4, confirmed the news helicopter belongs to KOMO News. KING 5 News said the helicopter was used in a joint partnership between KING 5 and KOMO News.

"I found myself uncontrollably screaming. People immediately called 911. A police car was there in maybe 2-3 minutes," eyewitness Tyler King said.

Seattle Police said the investigation will likely take several hours.

Sources: YouTube, KOMO and KING TV

komonews.com/news/local/Victims-of-news-helicopter-crash-remembered-250826051.html

king5.com/news/News-helicopter-crashes-at-Seattle-Center-250789981.html