2 News Copters Collide over Phoenix 4 killed

[One2Snoop]

2 news copters collide over Phoenix; 4 killed
John Faherty, Becky Bartowksi and Jennifer Price
The Arizona Republic
Jul. 27, 2007 04:05 PM

Two local news helicopters crashed in midair early Friday afternoon in central Phoenix.

One pilot and one photographer from each aircraft died when the helicopters collided over Steele Indian School Park.

The helicopters, as well as those from other stations, were covering a police chase.

In the moments before the crash, the pilot from KNXV-TV (Channel 15), Craig Smith, was on the radio with the pilot from KTVK-TV (Channel 3).

The inherent danger and periodic confusion of covering a police chase was clear even though you could only hear one side of the radio transmission.

Pilot Craig Smith is heard asking his photographer and talking to the pilot of Channel 3.

“Where's 3?”

“3, I'm right over you. 15 on top of you.”

“I'm over the top of you.”

Channel 15, the local ABC affiliate, reported that pilot Craig Smith and photographer Rick Krolak were on board.

Channel 3 reported that pilot Scott Bowerbank and photographer Jim Cox were on their aircraft.

Bob Smith of Phoenix was about 100 yards away from the crash having a picnic in the park with his construction workers.

"I heard the pop. They (the helicopters) exploded and went down. Debris is all over the park. It's surreal and unbelievable. Black smoke is everywhere."

On a clear and warm day, there were many witnesses to the crash and the aftermath when both helicopters were engulfed in flames at the park near Central Avenue and Indian School Road.

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http://www.azcentral.com/news/articl...rash27-ON.html

[One2Snoop]

News helicopters collide; 4 dead

(CNN) -- Apolice chase through the streets of downtown Phoenix turned into a midair tragedy Friday afternoon when two television news helicopters covering the action collided and crashed to the ground in smoke and flame, killing all four people on board.


Wreckage from two helicopters burns on the ground in Phoenix in this shot from KPHO's helicopter.

1 of 2 KTVK-TV said photojournalist Jim Cox and pilot Scott Bowerback were killed. KNXV-TV identified its crew as photographer Rick Krolak and pilot Craig Smith.

The helicopters collided as the rival stations were covering the police pursuit of a stolen white truck towing a trailer. Assistant Chief Mark Angle of the Phoenix Fire Department said wreckage from both helicopters then landed in a downtown park.
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http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/07/27/hel...ash/index.html