A helicopter flying over a Southern California beach suddenly lost control and began to spin, eventually losing altitude and crashing into a row of palm trees as sunbathers and beachgoers looked on.
Huntington Beach, California – HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. (AP) — A helicopter flying over a popular Southern California beach on Saturday suddenly lost control and began spiraling midair, eventually losing altitude and crashing into a row of palm trees as stunned sunbathers and beachgoers looked on.
Several videos posted online show the plane turning clockwise over Huntington Beach, then descending toward the edge of the beach, where it becomes wedged between palm trees and a stairwell near the Pacific Coast Highway.
The Huntington Beach Fire Department said five people were taken to the hospital, including two who were in the helicopter and “were safely recovered from the wreckage.” Three other people were injured in the street. Details about their injuries were not immediately available.
No reason has been released.
The ministry said the helicopter was in connection with the annual “Cars ‘N Copters” fundraising event scheduled for Sunday.