A helicopter crashed Saturday afternoon in Huntington Beach, California, leaving five people hospitalized after the aircraft went down along Pacific Coast Highway near the Waterfront Beach Resort, according to FOX 11 Los Angeles.
The crash occurred around 2:09 p.m., near the Cars ‘N Copters on the Coast event site, as reported by the California Highway Patrol. Locals on the Citizen App described the helicopter as being wedged between a building and nearby palm trees following impact.
Authorities said two people were on board the helicopter, and both managed to escape. Initially, police said three bystanders were injured, but city officials later confirmed that five people were transported to a hospital for treatment.
According to a statement from Huntington Beach city officials, the helicopter was connected to the Cars and Copters event scheduled for Sunday. Officials added that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have been notified and are now investigating the cause of the crash.
WTW will continue monitoring this developing story as more updates become available.
Sources: FOX 11 Los Angeles, Citizen App, City of Huntington Beach Statement.
