This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7480601.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
US helicopters collide in mid-air US helicopters collide in mid-air
(about 2 hours later)
At least seven people died in a mid-air collision between two medical helicopters in the US state of Arizona, a US aviation official has said. At least six people died in a mid-air collision between two medical helicopters in the US state of Arizona, a US aviation official has said.
The incident happened close to a hospital in the city of Flagstaff.The incident happened close to a hospital in the city of Flagstaff.
All three people on one of the helicopters died, at least one of them a patient, the Federal Aviation Authority's Ian Gregor said.All three people on one of the helicopters died, at least one of them a patient, the Federal Aviation Authority's Ian Gregor said.
It was not clear how many of the others who died were in the second helicopter or on the ground, he added. Three of the four people on the other aircraft also died, and the fourth was critically injured.
Three people were critically injured in the accident, which occurred at 1545 local time (2245 GMT). The incident occurred at 1545 local time (2245 GMT).
Both aircraft were Bell 407 commercial helicopters, but were owned by different companies. The aircraft, both of them Bell 407 commercial helicopters, were both on their way to the hospital at the time.
The collision also caused a fire in a heavily wooded area, according to reports from local fire officials.The collision also caused a fire in a heavily wooded area, according to reports from local fire officials.
The incident is not the first of its kind in Arizona.The incident is not the first of its kind in Arizona.
Last year four people died when two helicopters owned by rival TV companies collided while covering a car chase in the city of Phoenix.Last year four people died when two helicopters owned by rival TV companies collided while covering a car chase in the city of Phoenix.