SARASOTA, Fla., Sept. 11 (UPI) -- A photographer and videographer working on a shoot for Powerboat magazine were killed Tuesday in a helicopter crash off Florida’s west coast.
The helicopter may have collided with the boat with which the photo crew was working, The Bradenton Herald reported.
The helicopter, owned by Biscayne Helicopters in Miami, took off from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport shortly before the crash. The pilot, Mark Walters of Pasadena, Calif., survived and was listed in serious condition at Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg.
Sarasota County Assistant Fire Chief Paul Dezzi said the two people on the boat, a model and an operator, escaped injury. The model, who also is a nurse, tried to save those from the helicopter.
"She dove right there into the fuel and was able to get a couple of guys out," Dezzi said.
The dead men were identified as photographer Thomas Newby of Manhattan Beach, Calif., and videographer Mark Copeland of Raleigh, N.C.
