Two killed and two injured as helicopter crashes into crane on new Thames-side skyscraper and falls on rush-hour traffic
Two people died and at least two more were injured today after a helicopter struck a newly-built tower and plunged into rush hour traffic in central London.
Witnesses said the helicopter - which was believed to be travelling from east London using the route of the River Thames to Battersea Heliport - hit a crane at the top of the tower near Vauxhall Bridge in Vauxhall, central London, at 8am.
The helicopter, which hit the under-construction St George Wharf Tower, was reported to have been carrying a pilot but no passengers. It struck the ground just 20 yards from Vauxhall station, which is a major commuting hub in the capital.
Witnesses reported very low cloud at the time of the accident, suggesting the pilot may not have seen the crane which was barely visible from street level. At least two cars were hit by debris from the crash.
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http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2263213/Two-killed-injured-helicopter-crashes-crane-new-Thames-skyscraper.html#ixzz2I8B7SfzC
- Helicopter hit crane at top of St George Wharf Tower in central London today and cartwheeled before exploding
- Struck ground 20 yards from Vauxhall station and area is being evacuated because of precarious position of crane
- Plume of smoke visible at 8am with bystanders saying weather was bad and you could 'hardly see top of building'
- Eyewitnesses saw 'a flash and helicopter plunged to the ground', 'people were screaming after it crashed'
- London Fire Brigade: Eight fire engines and four fire rescue units and around 60 firefighters plus officers attending
- London's Counter Terrorism Command: 'There's nothing to suggest any terrorism link'
Two people died and at least two more were injured today after a helicopter struck a newly-built tower and plunged into rush hour traffic in central London.
Witnesses said the helicopter - which was believed to be travelling from east London using the route of the River Thames to Battersea Heliport - hit a crane at the top of the tower near Vauxhall Bridge in Vauxhall, central London, at 8am.
The helicopter, which hit the under-construction St George Wharf Tower, was reported to have been carrying a pilot but no passengers. It struck the ground just 20 yards from Vauxhall station, which is a major commuting hub in the capital.
Witnesses reported very low cloud at the time of the accident, suggesting the pilot may not have seen the crane which was barely visible from street level. At least two cars were hit by debris from the crash.
Scroll down for video
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2263213/Two-killed-injured-helicopter-crashes-crane-new-Thames-skyscraper.html#ixzz2I8B7SfzC
