Local News
Victims killed in Houston radio tower helicopter crash identified
A tragic helicopter crash occurred near Engelke and Ennis in Houston at approximately 7:54 PM, according to the Houston Fire Department.
During a media briefing, Mayor John Whitmire confirmed that the crash claimed the lives of four individuals, including a child.
The victims have been identified as Cesar Lerma, his wife, and their son.
Gabriela Barron, a relative of the victims, spoke to Channel2 NOW and shared, “Cesar is my cousin’s stepbrother. We just got the news it was them this morning. Please keep them in your prayers.”
The helicopter, an R44 private aircraft, was traveling from Ellington Airport.
Mayor John Whitmire, HFD Chief Thomas Muñoz, HPD Chief Noe Diaz, and DPS officials gathered for a press conference following the incident.
Mayor Whitmire commended the rapid response of the HFD, noting that a nearby fire station was able to reach the scene within minutes.
The fire caused by the crash burned approximately 100 to 200 yards of grass near the radio tower. However, the fire was successfully extinguished, and there is no threat to the community.
Officials are urging residents to avoid touching any debris from the helicopter and to immediately call 911 if they discover any components.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the HFD, and the HPD are investigating the cause of the crash.
It is important to note that the radio tower’s lights had been reported as inoperable on October 16th.
Emergency services in Queens responded to a multi-casualty incident (MCI) late Thursday involving a major motor vehicle accident on the Kosciuszko Bridge.
The accident left six individuals injured, including two victims in critical condition suffering from traumatic cardiac arrest.
First responders arrived on scene under Box 8380, finding multiple vehicles involved in a collision that caused significant damage and blocked portions of the bridge.
Emergency medical teams immediately began triage and treatment, stabilizing patients for transport to area hospitals.
Two individuals required advanced life-saving measures at the scene as they were in traumatic arrest due to their injuries.
Four additional patients sustained varying levels of injury, and all six were transported to nearby trauma centers for further care.
Authorities are investigating the cause of the crash, which caused major traffic disruptions in the area. Motorists were advised to seek alternate routes as emergency crews worked to clear the scene and restore traffic flow.
Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses and the conditions of the injured individuals are made available.