Video footage from Huntington Beach, California, shows the terrifying moment a helicopter spiraled out of control and crashed into a beachfront hotel on Saturday.
According to initial reports, the aircraft appeared to suffer a ‘tail rotor failure’ before plummeting from the sky and slamming into the Hyatt Regency Hotel, crushing several palm trees outside.
Huntington Beach Police said the two people aboard the helicopter were safely pulled from the wreckage, though their conditions remain unknown.
Three bystanders on the street were also injured, according to authorities.
All five individuals were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment, ABC7 reported.
Footage posted to social media, shows the helicopter descending toward the street around 2 p.m. as onlookers watch in shock before it suddenly falls, crash landing just yards from the Pacific Coast Highway.
Video footage from Huntington Beach, California, shows the terrifying moment a helicopter spiraled out of control and crashed into a beachfront hotel on Saturday
According to initial reports, the aircraft appeared to suffer a ‘tail rotor failure’ before plummeting from the sky and slamming into the Hyatt Hotel, crushing several palm trees outside
Two people were on board the ill-fated helicopter and both were removed safely. However, three people on the ground were injured and transported to a nearby hospital. Pictured: Emergency response teams report to the crash site in Huntington Beach, California
Video shared on the Citizen app shows a large emergency response, along with several bystanders gathered at the scene.
The Huntington Beach Fire Department confirmed a large response, with multiple units deployed to the crash site.
The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation as authorities work to determine what led to the aircraft’s failure.
This is a breaking news story.
