Seattle News Helicopter Crashes by Space Needle, Killing Two Victims Bill Strothman and Gary Pfitzne (Pictures)

By Eric Chen

Update: The victims were identified as photographer Bill Strothman and pilot Gary Pfitzner. According to Strothman's facebook page, he was the owner of Glass Mountain Video Productions and a former KOMO photographer. Strothman won 13 Emmy Awards over his career, many people mourned his death after he was identified. 

A news helicopter crashed in downtown Seattle Tuesday morning, killing at least two people and injuring one, according to officials.

The helicopter is used by local television networks KOMO, an ABC affiliate, and KING5, an NBC affiliate. It crashed around 7:40 a.m. PT, according to NBC News.

Seattle News Helicopter Crash
Seattle News Helicopter Crash

Seattle Fire Department said three cars were burning, and paramedics took at 37-year-old man, who had been in one of the cars, to the hospital in critical condition.

According to King5.com, the man managed to pull himself out of the car before he was taken to Harborview Medical Center.

Three passengers were on board the helicopter, which was taking off from a downtown helipad when it crashed and burned, according to FAA.

The crash happened next to Seattle's landmark, the Space Needle, at 400 block of Broad Street, next to Fisher Plaza, where KOMO is based.

Seattle News Helicopter Crash
Seattle News Helicopter Crash

The Seattle Fire Dept. called a press conference at 8:50 a.m. PT at corner of Broad and 4th.

Seattle News Helicopter Crash
Seattle News Helicopter Crash

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