3 killed in helicopter crash in U.S. tourist site Grand Canyon

APD NEWS

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Three people were killed after a tour helicopter carrying seven people crashed in the Grand Canyon in the U.S. state of Arizona on Saturday.

The other four people were rescued from the deadly helicopter crash and were being treated at a Las Vegas hospital early Sunday morning.

British Foreign Office confirmed on Sunday night those killed were three Britons and it was providing support to their families and those of three more Britons who were injured.

"We are providing support to the families of six British visitors involved in a helicopter accident at the Grand Canyon on Feb. 10, and we are in close contact with the U.S. emergency services," a Foreign Office spokesperson said.

The helicopter came down at about 17:20 local time (0020 GMT) on Saturday by the Grand Canyon's West Rim. Witnesses said at the crash site that black smokes and flames were spewing and explosions could be heard.

Six passengers and a pilot were on board the aircraft which was operated by tour company Papillon Airways. It is not clear what caused the crash.

The Papillon Airways is based in the western U.S. state of Nevada. According to the company's website, it flies about 600,000 passengers a year in its provided tours.

Its website reads: "at Papillon Grand Canyon Helicopters, safety is our top priority. Papillon Airways, Inc. and its subsidiaries are fully certified by the Tour Operators Program of Safety."

The Federal Aviation Administration will be investigating the crash of the Eurocopter EC 130, spokesperson Allen Kenitzer said.

In 2001, a Grand Canyon tour helicopter operated by Papillon crashed and killed six people. A report issued on the investigation of the crash said it is the pilot's operation of descending too fast and too close to the scenic cliffs that led to the tragedy.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)