Three people were killed Tuesday evening when an NBC4 news helicopter crashed in the Chatsworth neighborhood of Los Angeles while covering a fatal bus collision. The helicopter team included reporter Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw, both of whom died in the crash. A third victim, whose identity has not been publicly disclosed, was reportedly on the ground at the time of the accident.

The tragedy unfolded shortly before 7 p.m., as multiple news helicopters were airborne reporting on the deadly Metro bus collision. The helicopter carrying Moreno and Marciniw was among those covering the scene when contact with the crew was lost. NBC4 anchors and reporters, who were themselves covering the bus accident, spent the following hours updating viewers and grappling with the loss of their colleagues.

At 9 p.m., NBC4 anchor Colleen Williams confirmed on live broadcast that News Chopper 4 had crashed and that the station had received official confirmation of the deaths. Williams described how the news team had been piecing together details throughout the evening and expressed the profound impact the tragedy had on the station’s staff.

Emergency responders and fellow journalists provided support at the scene, and a news conference was held near the crash site later that evening as NBC4 resumed live coverage. The station paid tribute to their fallen employees, highlighting the emotional toll on the newsroom.

Authorities are investigating the circumstances of the crash, which occurred in close proximity to the initial bus accident scene. No further information about the cause of the helicopter crash or the identity of the third person involved has been released as of this time.