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Authorities reported a Huntington Beach police helicopter crashed in water along California’s coast, killing one officer and badly injuring another.
According to the Huntington Beach Police Department, the chopper crashed on Saturday at about 6:30 p.m. while responding to a disturbance in Newport Beach.
Police Chief Eric Parra announced at a press conference Saturday night that Nicholas Vella, 44, a 14-year member of the department, died in the collision.
The second officer, a 16-year department veteran, was brought to the hospital in severe condition. The identity of the second officer was not revealed.
“The city of Huntington Beach, its people, the Huntington Beach Police Department, and the law enforcement community have lost an officer who was sincerely devoted to his profession and doing what he loved,” Parra said. “This is a sad night for all of us, and I would appreciate your thoughts and support as we help the families of our officers.”
The collision is being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Major Accident Reconstruction Team.
