Five people, including a child, were injured after a helicopter spun out of control and crashed before a ‘Cars and Copters’ show in theUS.
The victims were rushed to the hospital after the chopper collided with palm trees at Huntington Beach inCaliforniaon Saturday afternoon.
Videos show the helicopter flying down close to the trees at around 2pm local time (10pm UK time) before it began spinning uncontrollably.
Two people inside the Bell 222 helicopter were safely pulled from the wreckage, while three passers-by on the street were also injured.
All five were taken to the hospital – their condition is unkown.
The tail of the chopper broke off during the crash, and debris was scattered across the beach’s car park.
Witness Kevin Bullat toldCBS News: ‘You can hear this odd sound that didn’t sound right. I looked out and I see the helicopter spiralling out of control. My friend saw shrapnel, or just debris, catapulting across PCH.’
The accident happened as an ‘exclusive helicopter landing party’ was being held at the rooftop lounge on the nearby Waterfront Beach Resort.
Other small helicopters were also parked in a car park, according to CBS.
The landing party was being held before the ‘Cars ‘N Copters on the Coast’ main event on Sunday, which organisers have said will go ahead.
They said in a statement: ‘We are sending our prayers out to all involved in the unfortunate incident today.
‘Our plan for now is to move forward with our event tomorrow, Sunday, October 12th. We will advise everyone at the earliest possible opportunity if that plan changes.’
The police said that the helicopter was ‘associated with the Cars and Copters event’, which puts on a display of private helicopters and exotic cars on the Huntington Beach waterfront.
The helicopter’s owner has been identified as daredevil pilot Eric Nixon, who earned asocial mediafollowing for his bold stunts.
HisInstagramshows that the chopper enthusiast has flown over the beach on several occasions.
In a recent post, he can be seen flying across a desert floor, barely 20 feet above the ground, with a truck hurtling towards him from the opposite direction.
Nixon would often fly with his wife of 20 years, Kim, on his helicopters.
The cause of the crash has not yet been determined.
The Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board have been notified of the incident, city officials said.
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