The NTSB and FAA are investigating the crash.
(PHOENIX, Ariz. ) - Two TV news helicopters following a police car pursuit collided over central-north Phoenix on Friday killing four people.
Killed in the crash were KTVK-TV pilot Scott Bowerbank and photographer Jim Cox along with KNXV-TV pilot Craig Smith and photojournalist Rick Krolak.
The crash occurred around 12:45 PM in Steele Indian School Park near Third Street and Indian School Road.
The helicopters were covering the police pursuit of a work truck.
Just before the midair collision, the driver had jumped out of the nearly disabled vehicle and carjacked another truck.
The Associated Press is reporting that KNXV reporter Craig Smith, who was among the dead, was reporting live as police chased a man driving a construction truck who had fled a traffic stop and was driving erratically, hitting several cars and driving on the sidewalk at times.
Police had blown the truck's tires, and the man eventually parked it, then carjacked another vehicle nearby.
As police closed in, Smith said, "Oh geez!"
After the picture broke up, the station switched to the studio and then briefly showed regular programming, a soap opera, before announcing that the helicopter had crashed.
TV viewers did not view the accident because cameras aboard both aircraft were pointed at the ground.
Fortunately, the choppers came down on a stretch of grass in front of a boarded up church at the park which is just a half block away from homes.
4 Killed After News Helicopters Collide in PhoenixSalem-News.com