Five individuals sustained injuries following a helicopter accident near a California beach where sunbathers were enjoying the day just meters away. At around 2:00pm local time, the Huntington Beach Police received reports of a helicopter crash in the beach parking lot located between Twin Dolphins Drive and Beach Boulevard in California.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) have been informed, and an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the incident. A member of the public captured the alarming moment when the helicopter descended from the sky and collided with trees.
The pilot involved in the crash, identified as aviation enthusiast Eric Nixon, is known for his daring aerial stunts and owns the helicopter that crashed near a hotel in Huntington Beach. Nixon, who has a significant social media following, had previously flown over the Huntington Beach area multiple times.
Witness Timothy Bartlett, who was present at the beach during the crash, expressed shock at the helicopter’s sudden descent. He observed the helicopter spiraling and believed that a tail rotor detachment might have caused the crash. Bartlett recalled the chaotic scene with people rushing towards the crash site while law enforcement officers attempted to maintain order.
Initially, three individuals were reported injured in the helicopter accident. However, the number has since been updated to five after further details emerged. Among the injured are three individuals on the ground at the time of the incident, along with two individuals rescued from the helicopter, all of whom have been taken to the hospital for treatment.
Statements posted on social media platforms express condolences for those affected by the incident and indicate plans to proceed with scheduled events, pending any changes arising from the ongoing investigation. The police department confirmed the involvement of the helicopter in the upcoming Cars and Copters event and reiterated the ongoing collaboration with aviation authorities in the inquiry.
Reports from the California Highway Patrol initially indicated that the crash occurred near the Cars ‘N Copters on the Coast event site around 2:09pm local time, near the Waterfront Beach Resort. A spokesperson from the Huntington Beach police department disclosed that two individuals were aboard the helicopter and managed to exit safely, while three individuals on the ground sustained injuries and were transported to a medical facility.
Further details regarding the victims’ conditions and the circumstances leading to the crash are pending additional updates.