Stunned NBC Anchors Announce Live on Air That Colleagues Were Killed in News Helicopter Crash

NBC4 Los Angeles anchors Colleen Williams and Carolyn Johnson announced live on-air that two of their colleagues were killed in a helicopter crash on Tuesday (September 15).

The cohosts confirmed that NBC4 reporter Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw died after the news chopper crashed between two buildings in Chatsworth just before 7 pm local time. Moreno and Marciniw were covering a devastating crash between a bus and SUV just a couple of blocks away when the fatal accident happened.

Williams and Johnson also confirmed that another individual on the ground was killed in the crash.

“We’re coming on the air with heavy hearts tonight because we lost valued friends and colleagues just before 7 p.m.,” the pair said before showing a photo of Moreno and Marciniw together in front of the news helicopter.

Moreno, born and raised in Orange County, graduated from Chapman University with a degree in broadcast journalism and political science. She’d been flying in news choppers since 2010. Marciniw grew up in Southern California and graduated from Burbank High School in 1974.

“They began flying together in 2023,” Johnson explained. “George and Eliana often flew together, and you probably recall she often referred to him when they were covering stories together.”

Earlier in the evening, Williams first confirmed that the helicopter belonged to NBC4. “We’ve been piecing it together here,” she said, per People. “We knew it was a news chopper. We knew we’d lost contact with our people out there. And we’ve just received the confirmation.”

According to the Los Angeles Times, firefighters extinguished the fire by 7:30 p.m. The BBC noted that two more people were taken to the hospital following the crash.

“We are deeply saddened to share that a helicopter providing aerial news coverage for NBC4 and Telemundo 52 was involved in a fatal accident in Los Angeles on Tuesday evening,” NBC4 and Telemundo 52 said in a joint statement. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families, friends and colleagues of those who lost their lives.”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom also issued a statement on Facebook, writing, “Our hearts are with the victims and families of tonight’s devastating Metro bus and helicopter crashes in Chatsworth, and with the entire NBC4 family. Thank you to the first responders working tirelessly tonight.”