A news helicopter flying for NBC4 and Telemundo 52 in Los Angeles went down in a residential neighborhood on Tuesday and caught fire, killing three people. Two of the victims were aboard the aircraft: crew member Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw, both employees of Angel City Air, which operated the helicopter. A third person on the ground was also killed, according to the Los Angeles Fire Department.
The crew had been assigned to cover a fatal collision between an SUV and a city bus in Chatsworth, roughly 25 miles from downtown Los Angeles. Witnesses reported thick black smoke spreading through the area after the crash. Both stations released a statement saying they were deeply saddened and extending heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who lost their lives.
The story raises difficult questions about the risks journalists take every day, particularly airborne crews who cover breaking news over busy city streets. For those of us here on the Suncoast, where local news teams hit the road for hurricane coverage and red tide reporting, it’s a reminder that the people who keep us informed often put themselves in harm’s way to do it. What do you think about the risks news crews take to bring us live coverage?
