Chopper Spirals Out of Control into Palm Trees at Frequented Southern California Coast

A chopper soaring near a popular southern California beach suddenly commenced twirling wildly, eventually losing altitude and smashing into a cluster of palm groves as beachgoers observed.

Footage posted online show the aircraft commencing to spiral near Huntington Beach then plunging in the direction of the border of the coast, where it becomes wedged among palms and a set of stairs adjacent to the Pacific Coast highway.

First Aid Update

Local firefighters reported five individuals were transported to a medical facility involving two individuals who were in the aircraft and were “extracted safely from the crash site” after the accident on Saturday.

Three persons on the pavement were injured. Specifics on their wounds were not yet released.

The cause of the crash was not yet disclosed.

Event Association

Authorities said the chopper was connected to an regular “Cars and Copters” fundraising event scheduled for the next day.