2 helicopters collide following police pursuit in Phoenix

[Adul]

http://www.azcentral.com/news/...7coptercrash27-ON.html

video
http://www.abc15.com/news/loca...4c9f-90b9-27495f640e31

pic
http://www.azcentral.com/homep...dex/pics/0727crash.jpg

another link
http://www.azfamily.com/news/l...er-crash.b85476c7.html

4 confirmed Dead

damn look at this pic
http://www.azcentral.com/homep...ex/pics/0727crash2.jpg


UPDATE

Apparently news chopper 15 had mechanically difficulties prior to the collision. The pilot attempted to correct the drop in altitude, but unfortunately news chopper 3 was right above him.

The pilots were in contact with each other and I think some of the last words said from 3 to 15 was I am right above you.


I caught this on the news radio KTAR on the drive home from work. This was from an inside source from ABC 15 and is not confirmed.


http://www.ktar.net/blogs/breaking/


http://www.ktar.net/blogs/breaking/

 

[mugs]

Wow...

Your title is confusing.

 

[nboy22]

Wow.. pretty crazy, I live in the southern end of Phoenix. The ironic thing is that I was listening to the radio this morning and there was a commercial on for a pilot school saying there was a shortage of helicopter pilots.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

The real irony would be if two news vans got into a wreck trying to cover the crash.

 

[cheezy321]

Yeah its crazy. Everyone at work is talking about it right now....

 

[randay]

links not loading for me but, mid air collisions should be like... impossible.

 

[cheezy321]

They were following a high speed chase.

 

[jtvang125]

I bet one helicopter was trying to outpace the other in trying to get the best footage and then collided.

 

[Rob9874]

They collided while hovering. I'm pretty sure the Channel 3 pilot was a friend of mine, Scott Bowerbank. The other Channel 3 pilot is Bruce Haffner, and they said he was on the way to the scene, so it wasn't him. So tragic.

 

[Drakkon]

I watch 3tv every morning when in AZ and their helicopter pilots were some of the best seemed like. Always had a great attitude and aptitude for the job.
Its sad something like this had to happen over a story that didnt necessarily need that level of coverage.

edit : now they are confirming 4 dead

 

[Syrch]

thats like a 5 min drive from my aparment...thats creppy

 

[hanoverphist]

ya, im down the street too... been trying to get on the sites to get updates but they are slammed. i did see the coverage from a third helicopter on azcentral.com right after it happened, but they didnt have any real news beyond "two copters crashed, we dont know who!"

sucky.

 

[hanoverphist]

didnt they just finish upgrading the hell out of that copter too? i seem to remember bruce haffner talking about trying to get used to the new HD monitors and stuff onboard. they also have about 3mil worth of crap installed on it, cameras and such...

 

[cheezy321]

Wow, I didnt know there were so many local Phoenix ATOT'ers.

I live down in tempe, wheres everyone else located?

 

[daveshel]

As a viewer in their market, I certainly didn't care about seeing pics of that chase, let alone have 3 people die for it!

 

[BooGiMaN]

wow so the crash happened on live tv?

i would assume the car chase they were following was being broadcast as it happened....i cant get into the sites linked

 

[senseamp]

Media always making themselves the story.

 

[halik]

noone caught the midair on video?

 

[Medellon]

The article also says the man driving the stolen vehicle could be held accountable for the deaths of the people in the chopper. I know this is a tragic accident and the man is probably some low life creep with a history of crime, but how can he be at fault for the choppers colliding? Seems like another example of putting the blame elsewhere and not taking responsibility for ones actions.

 

[hanoverphist]

Originally posted by: cheezy321
Wow, I didnt know there were so many local Phoenix ATOT'ers.

I live down in tempe, wheres everyone else located?

i live in mesa and work in phx. i spend much time in tempe tho, lots of family around here

 

[hanoverphist]

Originally posted by: halik
noone caught the midair on video?

ch 12 had video of right after it happened, they panned from the chase to the crash site and started trying to figure out which choppers it was. not sure if that vid is still linked on azcentral or not tho.


edit: i suxxorz ar mp linx...

 

[irishScott]

It's all about the ratings :roll:

I'm sorry, but this is kinda pathetic.

 

[Adul]

http://www.azcentral.com/homep...ex/pics/0727crash2.jpg

eeep!

 

[Syrch]

Originally posted by: hanoverphist
didnt they just finish upgrading the hell out of that copter too? i seem to remember bruce haffner talking about trying to get used to the new HD monitors and stuff onboard. they also have about 3mil worth of crap installed on it, cameras and such...

yeah they did...hope they had it insured..

 

[Syrch]

Originally posted by: cheezy321
Wow, I didnt know there were so many local Phoenix ATOT'ers.

I live down in tempe, wheres everyone else located?

im in tempe right near the 202 and rural