2 news copters collide over Phoenix; 4 killed

[LukeA]

http://www.abc15.com/news/local/stor...b-d82997dcdeda

4 dead in ABC15, Channel 3 chopper crash

By Chris Kline
ABC15.com

ABC15's helicopter has crashed into a park while covering a high speed chase.

Officials from the Phoenix Police Department say there are 4 confirmed fatalities, including Chopper15 Pilot Craig Smith and Photojournalist Rick Krolak.

A second helicopter belonging to KTVK (Channel 3) has also crashed into the park near Indian School Road and Central Avenue.

KTVK has confirmed pilot Scott Bowerbank and photographer Jim Cox have died in the crash.

The crash happened as both helicopters were covering a high speed chase in Phoenix.

The suspect in that chase was barricaded inside a West Valley home near 83rd Avenue and Thomas Road, but has since been arrested.

Witness Mary Lewis said she was stuck in traffic with her four grandsons and was watching the helicopters, turned to talk to the children, and then saw a fireball in the air when she looked again.

"I looked up and I see this 'boom' and I see one of the helicopters coming down, and I said 'Oh my God,"' Lewis said. she said she went to the crash site to help, but there was nothing she could do.

"It's nothing there," Lewis said. "Just burned up stuff."

Barbara Cochran, president of the Radio-Television News Directors Association in Washington, D.C., said the association didn't track fatalities among helicopter news pilots but that she could not recall another incident of two news choppers colliding while covering a story.

"The news directors at the stations are members of our association, and our heart really goes out to them in a situation like this," she said. "These pilots, they are very professional. They combine the skills of pilots and skills as journalists. It's something that's very, very sad."

FAA spokesman Ian Gregor said the FAA is reviewing air traffic control tapes to see if pilots were talking to controllers at that time.

"Typically air traffic controllers clear helicopters into an area where they can cover a chase like this," Gregor said. "Once in they are in the area, the pilots themselves are responsible for keeping themselves separated from other aircraft."

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http://www.breitbart.tv/html/3645.html - Video of ABC15's live transmission during the coverage of the chase. WARNING- this is very graphic.