Helicopter Crash Kills 4 in Maryland

Four people died late Thursday when a helicopter crashed on a western Maryland highway, emergency officials said.

Photo: Helicopter Crash Kills 4 in Maryland

Helicopter Crash Kills 4 in Maryland

The crash occurred about 10:30 p.m. on Interstate 70 in Washington County, said Kevin Lewis, director of county emergency services.

"When emergency personnel arrived, they found a small commercial aircraft, a Robinson 44 helicopter, with four passengers," he said. "I can confirm four fatalities on site as a result of the crash," CNN International reports.

Maryland State Police say the helicopter had taken off earlier from Hagerstown Regional Airport.

The helicopter was on fire when emergency crews arrived on the scene. There were also a number of power lines down in the area, West Virginia MetroNews reports.

Meanwhile visibility was said to be limited because of fog, but it was not clear if weather played a part in the crash.

According to the Associated Press Storms had passed through the area earlier in the night, BBC News reports.