Officials report several deaths following a helicopter collision with a radio tower in Houston’s Second Ward.
The Houston Fire Department reported that the accident occurred around 7:54 p.m. at the intersection of Engelke Street and Ennis Street.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire reported that HFD Station 17 was located just down the street from the crash site and arrived at the scene within minutes.
“This is a tragic event tonight, it’s a tragic loss of life,” Whitmire said.
Houston Police Chief Noe Diaz reported that the helicopter departed from Ellington Field and was en route to an undisclosed location when it went down.
Diaz mentioned that several individuals, including a child, are thought to have been on the helicopter that went down.
“We don’t know the age ranges yet, but that we are pretty sure,” he said.
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Officials indicate that fragments of the helicopter could be discovered by individuals as daylight breaks tomorrow. Authorities are urging anyone who finds these items to refrain from touching them and to reach out to the police or firefighters for retrieval.
No injuries were reported on the ground following the crash and the tower’s collapse. The only structure affected was the tower, with no other damage reported on the ground.
“We were very fortunate it didn’t topple one way or the other,” Whitmire said.
A fire ignited by the crash scorched approximately 100-200 yards of grass surrounding the tower. The fire has been put out.
The identities of those who lost their lives in the crash remain unknown.
“My prayers are with the families of the people in the helicopter,” Chief Diaz said.
Multiple agencies, including the FAA, NTSB, DPS, HPD, and HFD, are looking into the crash.