HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — An investigation is underway after a helicopter crashed into a pedestrian bridge in Huntington Beach on Saturday afternoon, injuring several people.
The aircraft came down on the pedestrian bridge in the beach parking lot between Twin Dolphins Drive and Beach Boulevard around 2 p.m., according to a statement from the City of Huntington Beach. The parking is across the street from several hotels on Pacific Coast Highway.
VIDEO: Footage shows before and after helicopter crashes in Huntington Beach, California
Video shows the moments before and after a helicopter crashed in Huntington Beach, California on Saturday.
“I never thought that that would happen, never in a million years,” one witness said.
The wreckage was wedged inside trees against the front of the Hyatt Regency Hotel. Citizen app video shows first responders at the scene, along with bystanders.
“We were at the beach, just catching some waves, then we heard this loud ‘pop, pop,’ we turn around, and we just see the helicopter come crashing down,” another witness said.
Huntington Beach police said two people who were inside the helicopter were safely pulled from the wreckage in unknown condition. Three pedestrians were injured, according to police. All five individuals were taken to the hospital. Further details on the extent of their injuries were unknown.
The beach was crowded with people in town for an event called Cars N’ Copters. The helicopter involved in the crash was scheduled to take part in the event, the city confirmed. At last check, the event is still scheduled to take place on Sunday.
“I heard the ‘pop, pop’ and I was like, ‘No, he’s going down,'” a witness told ABC7. “This could have been a lot worse, a lot worse. There was hundreds of people lined up. It could have been a lot worse.”
Officials said the NTSB will investigate the cause of the crash.
Beachgoers said they were thankful for the swift response from first responders.
The cause of the crash is under investigation, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have been notified.
Eyewitness News reached out to both the FAA and NTSB, and both sent automatic replies saying that during the government shutdown, they would not be able to reply to all inquiries.
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