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A chopper hovering above a crowded southern California shoreline abruptly started spinning wildly, ultimately dropping height and crashing into a line of palm fronds as onlookers looked on.

Footage shared on social media show the aircraft beginning to twirl near the beach then falling towards the perimeter of the shore, where it becomes wedged between palm groves and a steps close to the Pacific Coast highway.

First Aid Update

Local firefighters reported five people were taken to hospital including two who were in the helicopter and were “rescued from the debris” subsequent to the incident on Saturday.

Three persons on the road were injured. Details on their condition were still under review.

The cause of the crash was not immediately released.

Planned Function

Officials mentioned the chopper was associated with an yearly “Cars and Copters” charity gathering scheduled for the next day.