B.C. helicopter crash kills 4, including pedestrian

 

Updated Tue. May. 13 2008 10:35 PM ET

CTV.ca News Staff

 

 

Residents in a small B.C. community watched in horror Tuesday afternoon as a helicopter dropped from the air, hit a pedestrian, and exploded into a fireball in the middle of their street.

 

Four people died in the accident, which happened Tuesday afternoon in Cranbrook, a small town about 840 kilometres east of Vancouver.

In addition to the pedestrian who was crushed by the chopper, the pilot and two passengers also died.

 

Witnesses say the helicopter was flying low to the ground for several minutes but there didn't appear to be any problems.

 

Richard Fairchild saw the crash, which happened right in front of his residence. He told CTV Newsnet that the chopper had barely cleared a large pine tree and "within a second-and-a-half it crashed right in front of us -- literally in front of our window."

 

"Unfortunately, (the helicopter hit) a pedestrian on the sidewalk," Fairchild said.

He said helicopter's fuel then burst into flames.

 

"It didn't crash at a high speed. The pilot had been trying to control it, but the motor was out at that point and he fell the last 15 feet."

 

more here

I never know how to react to these things. Very sad. VERY sad. Very bizzare.

haha

 

hahaha nice..