By Tasnim News (World News) | Created at 2024-10-21 11:00:20 | Updated at 2024-10-21 15:17:18
4 hours ago
The incident occurred near Engelke and North Ennis Streets just before 8 p.m., triggering a blast that was audible from a nearby fire station less than half a mile away, Whitmire told reporters at a late-night press briefing.
Authorities have not specified the exact number of fatalities, but Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz said four people were aboard the privately-owned Robinson R44 helicopter.
According to initial reports, the helicopter took off from Ellington Airport, located about 17 miles south of the crash site. However, its intended destination remains unknown, Whitmire noted.
Witnesses captured footage of firefighters urging bystanders to leave the area, citing the danger of a nearby propane tank.
“This is a tragic event tonight. It’s a tragic loss of life,” Chief Diaz said during the briefing.
By 9:30 p.m., the fire was extinguished, a fire department spokesperson confirmed.
“The residents are secure and safe, but we have a terrible accident scene,” Whitmire added.
Images shared by the fire department show the collapsed tower sprawled across a dirt clearing behind a row of houses. Several homes near the crash site experienced power outages, Whitmire said.
The mayor expressed relief that the situation had not escalated further, noting the presence of a butane tank in the vicinity.
Manuel Arciniega, a witness, described the scene to CNN affiliate KPRC.
“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,” Arciniega recounted.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will lead the investigation into the crash, the fire department confirmed.
“It will be a large investigation because of the expanse of the accident,” Diaz explained. He advised residents to avoid touching any helicopter debris they encounter and report it to local authorities.
