A tragic helicopter accident occurred on Sunday evening, resulting in the deaths of four individuals, including a child, after the aircraft collided with a radio tower in Houston's Second Ward. The incident took place around 7:54 PM local time at the intersection of Engelke Street and N. Ennis Street, not far from downtown Houston.
The helicopter, identified as a privately-owned R44 model, had taken off from Ellington Field approximately 15 miles away. Local authorities have confirmed that all four occupants aboard the helicopter perished in the crash. Their identities have not yet been disclosed pending notification of next of kin. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among individuals on the ground.
Emergency responders from the Houston Fire Department and police swiftly arrived at the scene to manage the aftermath of the crash, which ignited a fire that spread across two to three blocks. Fire Chief Thomas Munoz reported that while there was significant damage to the radio tower, no nearby residences were impacted directly by the collision or subsequent fire.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire expressed his condolences to the families affected by this devastating event and commended the rapid response of emergency services. "This is a significant loss of life," said Mayor Whitmire. "We are grateful that no residents were harmed during this unfortunate incident."
Preliminary investigations suggest that the radio tower's lights were not operational at the time of the crash, as indicated by a recent warning from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and FAA have launched an investigation to determine the cause of this tragic accident.
Local authorities are urging residents in the vicinity to report any debris or items related to the crash that may assist in ongoing investigations.