Two consecutive accidents have shaken Los Angeles, as a TV station’s helicopter crashed in Chatsworth, near the spot where, shortly before, two people had lost their lives in a collision between a Metro bus and an SUV. At least one death has been confirmed from the helicopter crash, while authorities are still investigating how many people were on board.

Initial reports indicate that the helicopter belonged to the KNBC/NBC Los Angeles television station and was covering the fatal traffic accident that had occurred earlier in the same area.

NBC4 anchor Colleen Williams, visibly shaken and with tears in her eyes, said during the live broadcast: “We’ve lost contact with our people.”

BREAKING: TV news helicopter crashes during live broadcast of a bus crash in Los Angeles.

The helicopter belongs to NBC Los Angeles (KNBC-TV). No word yet on casualties. pic.twitter.com/kXwgr5meOP

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— BNO News (@BNONews) September 16, 2026

The helicopter crashed into a parking lot in Chatsworth, near Nordhoff Street, and burst into flames upon impact, engulfing parked cars as well.

Firefighters who arrived at the scene found the helicopter and several vehicles on fire. The fire was extinguished, but investigations continued at the site of the wreckage.

The deceased was likely on the ground

According to initial reports from the Los Angeles Fire Department, at least one person lost their life in the crash.

A Fire Department spokesperson stated that the victim was most likely on foot and was not on board the helicopter, while it had not yet been determined how many people were inside the aircraft at the time of the crash.

“We are still investigating the helicopter to determine how many people were on board,” said a spokesperson for the department.

Aerial footage shows the aftermath of a helicopter crash in Chatsworth, Los Angeles. https://t.co/5kbSFLCh3X pic.twitter.com/F2fFErAmxT

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) September 16, 2026

Two dead earlier in a collision between a bus and an SUV

The crash occurred while emergency services were already in the area responding to a separate fatal traffic accident.

Shortly after 5:00 p.m. local time (3:00 a.m. Greek time), an SUV collided with a Metro bus at the intersection of Nordhoff Street and De Soto Avenue in Chatsworth. Two people were killed and at least six were injured in the violent collision, and a rescue operation was required to free the passengers.

Footage from the scene showed the SUV wedged into the left side of the bus, while one of the victims was reportedly thrown from the vehicle. Authorities are investigating the circumstances of the accident.

Additional footage shows the NBC Los Angeles news helicopter crash site. https://t.co/5kbSFLCh3X pic.twitter.com/W3QCAqkDWu

— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) September 16, 2026

Source: Protothema.gr