A helicopter flying over a popular beach in southern California suddenly began spiralling out of control before crashing into a row of palm trees, leaving five people injured. The incident occurred on Saturday at Huntington Beach, where onlookers watched as the aircraft lost altitude and plunged towards the edge of the beach, becoming wedged between trees and a staircase near the Pacific Coast Highway.
Videos posted online capture the helicopter spinning above the beach before nosediving. The Huntington Beach fire department confirmed that five people were taken to hospital, including two who were in the helicopter and were safely pulled from the wreckage. Three people on the street also sustained injuries, though details on their condition were not immediately available.
The helicopter was associated with an annual 'Cars N Copters' fundraising event scheduled for Sunday, according to the fire department.
