Authorities in Houston, Texas, are investigating after a helicopter crash reportedly left four people dead, including a child.
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More Details On The Fatal Helicopter Crash & The Victims
According to Click2Houston, the crash occurred around 7:54 p.m. on Sunday, October 20, at Engelke Street and Ennis Street. The Houston Fire Department Station 17 was reportedly down the street when a “private touring helicopter” hit a radio tower.
The fire department reportedly arrived on the scene within minutes. On Monday, October 21, the Houston Police Department reportedly asserted that four people, including a child, are believed to have been on the craft at the time of the crash.
“We don’t know the age ranges yet, but that we are pretty sure,” Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz reportedly told reporters.
Per the outlet, the helicopter had taken off from Ellington Field on Sunday night. It was reportedly headed to an unknown destination when it crashed.
“This is a tragic event tonight, it’s a tragic loss of life,” the city’s mayor, John Whitmire, reportedly stated.
Witnesses Speak Out
According to the outlet, no ground witnesses were hurt amid the collision or the subsequent collapse of the radio tower. Furthermore, a witness named Manuel Arciniega was reportedly in the area when it occurred.
“My buddy behind me told me to look up in the sky and I just saw the cell tower crumbling down, they said a helicopter hit it,” Arcineiega explained, per Click2Houston.
Additionally, Sam Elsaadi, another witness, took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share footage of the crash’s aftermath.
Wild scene in Eado Tonight. A helicopter hit a radio tower. We heard it and saw
It go down. pic.twitter.com/4L3wxgAhok— Sam Elsaadi (@Samtheman_1982) October 21, 2024
According to the outlet, the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Transportation Safety Board, the Department of Public Safety, the Houston Police Department, and the Houston Fire Department are investigating the crash.
Furthermore, USA Today adds that the radio tower’s lights were reported as “inoperable” days before the fatal incident.
A Small Plane Reportedly Crashed Amid The Landing Of Hurricane Milton
As The Shade Room previously reported, a similar incident recently occurred in Florida. On October 8, a small plane carrying four people crashed into Tampa Bay. The plane was reportedly attempting to evacuate the area ahead of Hurricane Milton.
After the crash, the passengers reportedly held onto the tail wing of the plane. Furthermore, they were rescued by authorities and reportedly sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
