Chopper spins out of control and erupts in flames after blades clip fire truck in Chile

A police helicopter erupted into a spinning ball of flames after its blades clipped a fire truck in the centre of San Miguel, Chile.

The chopper was attending a car crash early on Sunday morning when it landed at an intersection in the city's downtown area.

Police closed off the street to allow the helicopter to land and assist at a crash caused by a drunk driver which left three police officers seriously injured.

When a fire truck made its way into the secure zone it edged too close to the chopper, nicking one of its spinning blades.

All four of the choppers blades were struck off as well as the tail rotor, sending the EC-135 into a death spin.

The chopper twisted and twirled around on its metal skids sending sparks off in all directions.

The out-of-control chopper then collided with a police car, knocking the cab to the ground where it exploded.

The pilot was left in serious condition with multiple fractures while the other three officers were being treated in hospital, according to Soy Chile.

Source: SoyChile
Author: Nicholas McCallum, Approving editor: Simon Black