At least one person killed in Florida helicopter crash

At least one and as many as three people have died in a helicopter crash in Palm Bay, Florida, local media have reported.

The helicopter left Orlando Melbourne International Airport on Tuesday afternoon local time and crashed about 2pm in south-west Palm Bay, Bay News 9 reports.

Smoking wreckage could be seen in footage of the crash scene filmed by the Wesh 2 news helicopter.

Three people died in the crash, Bay News 9 and Wesh 2 have reported citing police.

 "There is no threat to the general public at this time, but Palm Bay citizens are asked to stay clear of the area," Palm Bay Police Department Lieutenant Mike Bandish told Bay News 9.

Earlier, ABC News reported at least one person died in the crash, which involved a military-style Sikorsky S-61N helicopter that had reportedly been "flying low".

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