7 dead in midair collision between copters near hospital in Ariz.

Source: Agencies  |   2008-6-30  |     ONLINE EDITION

TWO medical helicopters collided in midair yesterday afternoon near an Arizona hospital, killing at least seven people and critically injuring three, a federal official said.

All three people on one of the helicopters were killed in the Flagstaff collision, including a patient and the pilot, said Ian Gregor, spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration.

Four others were killed and three critically wounded, Gregor said. He wasn't sure if they were all on the second helicopter or whether some were on the ground.

The cause of the collision is being investigated.

The collision occurred near Flagstaff Medical Center. Hospital spokeswoman Starla Addair said she did not have any information to release.

The crash started a 10-acre (4.05-hectare) brush fire that authorities were able to extinguish, said Coconino County sheriff's spokesman Gerry Blair.

Last summer, two news helicopters collided while covering an auto chase near Phoenix, killing all four people on board.

Flagstaff is about 130 miles (210 kilometers) north of Phoenix.