<p>At least two people were killed and 11 others injured when a helicopter crashed into a crane on top of one of Europe's tallest residential blocks in central London and plunged to the ground in a ball of flame during rush hour today.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The helicopter was reported to have been carrying a pilot but no passengers. It struck the ground just 20 yards from Vauxhall station, a major commuting hub in the capital.<br /><br />One witness said the helicopter struck the side of the St George Wharf Tower, Britain's tallest block of flats currently under-construction, near the river Thames, as it fell to the ground. The fate of the pilot is not known.<br /><br />"Two people have died and 11 taken to hospital. Details are awaited," a Metropolitan Police spokesman told PTI.<br /><br />At least two cars were hit by debris from the crash.<br /><br />A motorist is in hospital after being rescued from a burning car by fire crews.<br /><br />The helicopter involved is believed to be an Augusta 109 model.<br /><br />Eight fire engines, four fire rescue units and around 60 firefighters were at the crash site with the police and ambulances.<br /><br />Burning wreckage lay in the road but firefighters have brought the fire under control.<br /><br />The police said in a statement that they had been alerted at approximately 8 am (local time) this morning to an incident at Wandsworth Road.<br /><br />"At this early stage it appears a helicopter was in a collision with a crane on top of a building. Met officers, the ambulance service and the London Fire Brigade have attended," a Metropolitan Police statement said.<br /><br />Dense black smoke was billowing from the area after the helicopter spiralled to the ground in what eyewitnesses told Sky News looked like "a massive ball of flame".<br />Soon after the accident, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) began its probe.</p>
<p>At least two people were killed and 11 others injured when a helicopter crashed into a crane on top of one of Europe's tallest residential blocks in central London and plunged to the ground in a ball of flame during rush hour today.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The helicopter was reported to have been carrying a pilot but no passengers. It struck the ground just 20 yards from Vauxhall station, a major commuting hub in the capital.<br /><br />One witness said the helicopter struck the side of the St George Wharf Tower, Britain's tallest block of flats currently under-construction, near the river Thames, as it fell to the ground. The fate of the pilot is not known.<br /><br />"Two people have died and 11 taken to hospital. Details are awaited," a Metropolitan Police spokesman told PTI.<br /><br />At least two cars were hit by debris from the crash.<br /><br />A motorist is in hospital after being rescued from a burning car by fire crews.<br /><br />The helicopter involved is believed to be an Augusta 109 model.<br /><br />Eight fire engines, four fire rescue units and around 60 firefighters were at the crash site with the police and ambulances.<br /><br />Burning wreckage lay in the road but firefighters have brought the fire under control.<br /><br />The police said in a statement that they had been alerted at approximately 8 am (local time) this morning to an incident at Wandsworth Road.<br /><br />"At this early stage it appears a helicopter was in a collision with a crane on top of a building. Met officers, the ambulance service and the London Fire Brigade have attended," a Metropolitan Police statement said.<br /><br />Dense black smoke was billowing from the area after the helicopter spiralled to the ground in what eyewitnesses told Sky News looked like "a massive ball of flame".<br />Soon after the accident, the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) began its probe.</p>