A news helicopter crashed live on air in Los Angeles on Tuesday while covering a collision involving an SUV and a city bus. The incident resulted in the deaths of journalist Eliana Moreno, pilot George Marciniw, and one person on the ground, identified as Edy Fernando Gutiérrez Mejía.
Moreno, known as “Eli in the Heli,” had been a helicopter journalist since 2010 and was in her 30s. Marciniw, her longtime colleague, was reportedly considering retirement after more than 30 years as a helicopter pilot. Both worked for Angel City Air, providing aerial coverage for NBC4 and Telemundo 52.
The crash has led to an outpouring of support for the families and a reflection on the history of helicopter journalism in Los Angeles, which dates back nearly 70 years to the debut of the world's first “Telecopter” in 1958.