Helicopter crashes into house killing three in California

Helicopter had taken off shortly before

Newport Beach, California officials said three people were killed (KTLA)

Three people died after a helicopter crashed into a southern California home, authorities said.

The Newport Beach Police Department said four passengers were on board when the four-seat Robinson 44 helicopter went down, affecting a bystander.

Two people were transported to the hospital for treatment.

The helicopter had travelled only a mile (1.6 km) from John Wayne Airport, the area's main transit hub, before going down.

Federal Aviation Administration inspectors were en route and the National Transportation Safety Board was preparing to join the investigation.

Footage from the scene showed the helicopter’s red-and-yellow frame crumpled against a house.

A witness told KCAL he went outside after hearing a loud noise and encountered a cloud of dust. He saw someone partially hanging out of the plane.

“We tried to pry him out but we didn't want to touch him, we didn't want to take a chance of hurting anybody”, he said.