Two Confirmed Dead in US Police Helicopter crash in Charlottesville amid Violent Protests, Car Ramming Attack
A police helicopter that was reportedly monitoring the protests and violence in Charlottesville, Virginia has crashed in a wooded area. Footage shows smoke rising from the scene.
Two people died in the crash, Virginia State Police confirmed, adding that police are investigating the incident. No injuries on the ground have been reported, according to RT.
Fire units and police are at the scene.
The helicopter crashed near Old Farm Road in Albemarle County, which is just outside the city.
1 killed, more ‘extremely’ injured after car plows into protesters at Charlottesville rally
According to RT, at least one person has been killed and 19 injured after a car has ran into protesters at the Charlottesville protests between Unite the Right and counter demonstrators.
RT journalist on the scene said that there were “extremely heavy injuries” sustained during the incident.
An eyewitness who saw a car plow into dozens of protesters at a far-right rally and counter-demonstrators in Charlottesville, Virginia described the crash involving one car plowing into protesters and crashing into another as “intentional” while speculating that it was a “terrorist attack.”
“It backed up and hit everyone again. There was a girl on the ground and she was trying to get up,” an eyewitness, still shocked from the incident, told Ruptly.
University of Virginia Medical Center told the New York Times it has treated 19 people for injuries and that one person is dead.
The Charlottesville mayor, Mike Signer tweeted that a life had been lost and adding that he is “furious and heartsick by the car crash that has injured many.”
“As of 12:30 pm, [16:30 GMT] a single arrest has been reported. Emergency Medical Personnel have responded to eight injuries related to the event,” Charlottesville Police Department said on Facebook.
Police are reportedly treating the incident as a homicide.
“City Commonwealth Attorney says vehicle into crowd being handled as a homicide,” NBC 29 reporter Henry Graff wrote on Twitter.
A state official has said the driver of car is in custody, AP reported.
Video footage taken at the scene shows a damaged light-colored Toyota vehicle and a larger dark-colored SUV at the scene.
Police have cordoned off the scene.
Video footage posted on Facebook shows the moment the dark gray car rams into the light gray car before violently reversing.
A number of people appear to be thrown into the air with the force of the crash. The street was crowded with demonstrators at the time.
A witness told Ruptly he saw several people lying on the ground, being treated by medics.
Charlottesville City Hall tweeted authorities were responding to a “three vehicle crash” at Water and 4th Street, and that “several pedestrians” were struck and multiple injuries have been reported.
As the story develops, more content is being shared online of the incident. Footage taken by Brennan Gilmore, former chief of staff to gubernatorial candidate Tom Perriello, shows the vehicle speeding towards the demonstrators as people can be heard screaming.
Moments later, the same car is seen reversing rapidly away from the scene of the crash.
Speaking live from his Bedminster golf resort, President Donald Trump said: “We condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence on many sides.”
“What is vital now is a swift restoration of law and order and the protection of innocent lives.” he added. Trump’s press conference was called for his signing of the Veteran’s Affairs Choice and Quality Employment Act of 2017.
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