Three people have died after an NBC Los Angeles news helicopter crashed in Chatsworth while several aircraft were covering a separate deadly Metro bus collision, authorities said.
The helicopter, operated by NBC Los Angeles and known as NewsChopper4, crashed between two commercial buildings in the Chatsworth neighbourhood just before 19:00 local time on Tuesday.
The Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) said one other person was injured and taken to a local hospital, although their condition was not immediately known.
The aircraft had been in the area to report on an earlier crash involving an SUV and a city bus. Two people were killed and six others injured in that collision, according to the BBC's US partner CBS.
The helicopter crash triggered a fire at the site, with footage showing two shipping containers and several vehicles engulfed in flames. The fire was later extinguished, according to the fire department.
The incident was confirmed during an emotional NBC4 broadcast by veteran anchor Colleen Williams, who said the station had lost contact with its helicopter crew before receiving confirmation of the crash.
"We knew it was a news chopper. We knew we'd lost contact with our people out there, and we've just received confirmation," Williams said.
The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) Central Division also responded to the incident, posting on X its "thoughts and prayers to the family, friends and colleagues of KNBC 4, Los Angeles".
Police said they had not established how many people were aboard the helicopter when it went down.
LAFD Captain Branden Silverman had earlier told CBS that one person was found outside the aircraft after the crash.
"We do have one confirmed patient that seemed to be outside of the helicopter when it crashed.
"That person was declared deceased on scene," Silverman said.
The crash occurred near Lurline Avenue and Nordhoff Street, where several news helicopters had gathered to cover the earlier bus accident.
The earlier collision involved an SUV and a city bus and left two people dead and six others injured, CBS reported.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said she was "absolutely devastated by the loss of life in Chatsworth tonight".
"My heart is with the families and loved ones of those we lost in the tragic bus collision and helicopter crash," she added.
California Governor Gavin Newsom also sent his condolences to those affected by the two crashes.
"our hearts are with the victims and families of tonight's devastating Metro bus and helicopter crashes in Chatsworth, and with the entire NBC4 family".
"Thank you to the first responders working tirelessly tonight."
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will lead the investigation into the helicopter crash.