Six Victims-3 Dead And 3 Hurt in Catalina Helicopter Crash

Three people were killed and other 3 were injured Saturday morning when a helicopter crashed on an island off the Southern California coast.

According to The Associated Press, authorities said that a private tour helicopter from Island Express crashed on the west of Santa Catalina Island, near Two Harbors. The island is located 26 miles west of the California shore.

The weather wasn’t, at the time, favorable as is was raining and the visibility was not good. When it went down, the aircraft started a fire which was quickly put down.

The three injured people were transported with helicopters to hospitals.

According to USA Today, Melanie Flores, County Supervising Fire Dispatcher, talked about the victims’ conditions saying they were in critical state and their injuries would require serious treatment.

Reports showed that the helicopter took off from Long Beach and was supposed to come back there. Officials didn’t find out what caused the aircraft to crash.

The helicopter went down near the Banning House lodge. A witness said she could see the helicopter going down about 200 to 300 yards inland. According to the witness, the owner of Island Express went to the location of the crash, reported USA Today.

Island Express is a company that offers clients charters and tours to the island and other Southern California locations. The company didn't comment the incident.