Two dead in Seattle helicopter crash

TWO people have been killed after a news helicopter crashed during takeoff from a TV station near the Seattle Space Needle.

Firefighters attend the scene of the crash. Picture: AP

TV station KOMO-TV, which operated the helicopter, said it was apparently lifting off from its rooftop Tuesday morning when it possibly hit the side of the building and went down, hitting several vehicles on Broad Street.

The copter and cars exploded in flames.

The crash sent sent clouds of black smoke over the west coast city during the morning rush hour.

The Seattle Fire Department said in addition to the fatalities, a 37-year-old man who managed to free himself from a car at the accident scene was taken to a nearby hospital in a critical condition. No other details were immediately available.