News helicopter crash kills 2 in North Carolina

A news chopper crash has killed a pilot and a meteorologist in North Carolina.

The two people were killed Tuesday after a TV news helicopter crashed along an interstate highway in Charlotte, N.C.

The chopper crashed around Interstate 77 around 12:20 p.m. and both victims were confirmed dead at the scene, according to a tweet from Mecklenburg County EMS service.

WCNC Charlotte reported shortly afterward that the helicopter was owned by WBTV, another local television station.

WBTV meteorologist Jason Myers and pilot Chip Tayag died, according to CNN.

The pilot reportedly maneuvered to minimize the collateral damage of the crash.

“I think that he absolutely knew that he was gonna have to put that down,” a witness told WCNC.

“He did his best to put it down […] They did a fabulous job.”

Charlotte Police Chief Johnny Jennings praised Tayag’s actions.

“The pilot is a hero in my eyes,” Jennings tweeted.

“Witnesses indicated that the pilot made diversionary moves away from the highway to save lives. Because of his heroic acts, there were no further injuries or vehicles on the highway involved in the incident.”

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the crash.