Overview

• The helicopter went down around 2 p.m. in a beach parking area between Twin Dolphins Drive and Beach Boulevard, becoming wedged between palm trees and a pedestrian-bridge staircase.
• Fire officials said two occupants were pulled from the wreckage and three pedestrians were hurt; all five were taken to hospitals and their conditions were not released.
• The aircraft was tied to pre-event activity for the Cars ’N Copters on the Coast charity show, and police shut Pacific Coast Highway between Huntington Street and Beach Boulevard for several hours.
• Bystander videos show the helicopter spiraling and debris falling before impact, and witnesses mentioned a possible tail-rotor issue or bird strike, which authorities have not verified.
• The FAA and NTSB were notified and opened an inquiry, and the Bell 222 wreckage remained in place for hours as crews documented the scene.