DEVELOPING STORY: Two people were killed and three others were injured when a news helicopter crashed off Interstate 77 in Charlotte.
The crash happened in an area of grass just off the highway, close to Tyvola and Nations Ford Road, according to Medic and other emergency officials, the Charlotte Observer reports.
A WBTV staff member confirmed to The Charlotte Observer that it was their helicopter, Sky 3, that crashed. Emergency radio communications confirmed the chopper belongs to WBTV.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Chief Johnny Jennings said no vehicles on the interstate were involved in the crash and the helicopter crashed off to the side of the roadway.
In a tweet, Jennings called the pilot a hero, stating that witnesses indicated they made “diversionary moves away from the highway to save lives.”
“Because of his heroic acts, there were no further injuries or vehicles on the highway involved in this incident,” Jennings said.
The FAA released the following statement:
A Robinson R44 helicopter crashed near I-77 South and Nations Ford Road in Charlotte, N.C., around 12:20 local time today. Two people were on board. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will provide additional updates. Neither agency identifies people involved in aircraft accidents.
The pilot is a hero in my eyes. Witnesses indicated that the pilot made diversionary moves away from the highway to save lives. Because of his heroic acts, there were no further injuries or vehicles on the highway involved in the incident. https://t.co/yjpeN6zyBF
— Chief Jennings (@cmpdchief) November 22, 2022
The @WBTV_News team continues to report on the #Charlotte helicopter crash as reports surface it’s their helicopter that has crashed. If that proves to be true, this team is handling the situation masterfully. pic.twitter.com/kkPT1gJaCb
— Jeff Cox (@JeffCoxWGXA) November 22, 2022
Breaking News: A helicopter crash on Interstate 77 has left two people dead and three injured. https://t.co/jI4CV1hEGt
— The Charlotte Observer (@theobserver) November 22, 2022
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