8 killed in Air Force chopper crash in Cebu

Eight people were killed and four others injured when a helicopter of the Philippine Air Force crashed Saturday on two tricycles in Lapu-Lapu City, Mactan, Cebu, radio DZBB reported. The report said the Huey helicopter suddenly lost engine power and slammed onto the motorcycle taxis around 5:55 p.m. The helicopter was about to land after a training flight when it crashed about two kilometers from Mactan Air Base, Lt. Col. Epifanio Panzo, Air Force spokesman, said. Authorities have launched an investigation into the tragedy. The same report said, as of posting time, rescuers were trying to get two of the passengers of the ill-fated helicopter. Its pilot and co-pilot were already brought to hospital. The bodies of seven of the eight fatalities were mutilated after the still spinning propeller of the helicopter caught the tricycle they were riding. The eighth fatality was a Huey crewman. The helicopter reportedly crashed on Humay-Humay Street, Pajo village in Lapu-Lapu City and pinned another tricycle, which caused the death of the tricycle driver. The crash also caused a city-wide blackout after the helicopter’s tail touched and destroyed the poles and primary and secondary lines of Mactan Electric Company. - GMANews.TV