Photos: Helicopter Crashes Into Crane In Central London

Fire: Eyewitness Gervios Aruthor took this picture from the scene straight after the crash (Gervios Aruthor)

An Agusta 109 helicopter crashed into two cars just off Wandsworth Road near South Lambeth Road and exploded into flames after it smashed into a crane in central London on Wednesday morning at around 8am.

It was on a scheduled commercial flight from Surrey to Elstree, but was diverted to Battersea due to bad weather.

Two people were killed; the pilot and a person on the ground.

Burning wreckage and aviation fuel covered the road at the accident site and debris is scattered over three surrounding buildings.

Witnesses said the helicopter wheeled out of the sky after hitting the crane on St George Wharf Tower, in Vauxhall, in heavy fog.

Thirteen people were injured, with one reported to be in a critical condition. 

London Fire Brigade said they had rescued a man from a burning car at the scene, although his condition is not known. 

(Please click the photos for larger images)

A damaged crane is seen on the St George’s Tower in Vauxhall, south London January 16, 2013. A helicopter crashed into a crane near a railway station in central London during the morning rush hour on Wednesday, bursting into flames and throwing plumes of smoke into the air. REUTERS/Stefan Wermuth

Emergency services attend the scene at Vauxhall (Reuters)

LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 16: Emergency services survey the wreckage after a helicopter reportedly collided with a crane attached to St Georges Wharf Tower in Vauxhall, on January 16, 2013 in London, England. According to reports, the helicopter hit the crane before plunging into the road below during the morning rush hour. (Photo by Oli Scarff/Getty Images)

Smoke rises from the crash in Vauxhall (Victor Jimenez)

Emergency services attend the scene of a crashed helicopter in Vauxhall, London January 16, 2013. A helicopter crashed into a crane on top of one of Europe’s tallest residential blocks in central London on Wednesday, killing two people as it burst into flames and threw plumes of smoke into the foggy air. REUTERS/Neil Hall

Photographer Nic Walker says: “The remains of the helicopter fuel. It ditched into the building on the left.” (Rex Features)