Helicopter crash in Vauxhall, central London. Photograph by Nic Walker
A helicopter crashed in central London, today after hitting a crane on top of a tower block by the River Thames, killing two people and injuring 13.
The damaged aircraft blew up in flames before cartwheeling into a busy London street during rush hour. Eyewitnesses reported seeing cars on fire and hearing screaming people as aviation fuel from the aircraft spilled onto the street at set ablaze. The crash happened near Wandsworth Road in South Lambeth.
Fire, ambulance and police arrived on the scene within four minutes as a number of calls to the emergency services flooded in describing the tower of smoke which was growing close to Battersea Bridge, with about 90 fire-fighters bringing the flames under control within about 25 minutes.
Seven people were treated at the scene, with six taken to hospital with minor injuries, one with a broken leg. The pilot of the helicopter is believed to have died in the crash as well as one person on the ground.
Part of the crane also fell to the ground after it was hit by the helicopter, with another section hanging from the side of a building. The tail of the helicopter then broke off and landed on the roof of a nearby building whilst the main body of the aircraft crashed to the ground hitting two cars. The fire from the helicopter ignited two buildings.
This video of the burning aftermath of the crash was shot by Nic Walker
This video was shot by Jason/Complete Couriers:
