Social media coverage of Seattle TV news helicopter crash

It’s not often a news organization is faced with covering a tragedy of their own like Tuesday’s crash of a KOMO TV helicopter. The fiery crash and aftermath have prompted a huge outpouring of emotional images and reaction on social media:

News helicopter crashes, burns beside Space Needle – http://t.co/TvU5Dy9aLt pic.twitter.com/ptZhAUje6u

— KOMO News (@komonews) March 18, 2014

This just happened pic.twitter.com/uI2acbafHm

— Meelz (@meelataruc) March 18, 2014

@komonews man from vehicle runs out and puts his body and clothes out of flames pic.twitter.com/ahkKqEsFaa

— Meelz (@meelataruc) March 18, 2014

#BREAKING: 37 year old man taken being transported from burning car after KOMO-TV helicopter crash – @SeattleFire pic.twitter.com/JDqlXUJMX7

— Tim Williams (@realtimwilliams) March 18, 2014

Reporters from all stations feel deep sorrow for KOMO TV loss. Open weeping at site of fatal news copter crash pic.twitter.com/NwaqLE8IU4

— gary chittim (@gchittimK5) March 18, 2014

Listening to KOMO coverage: “newsroom watched as helicopter spiraled & crashed nose down, exploding in flames” #LiveonK2

— Natali Marmion (@NataliMarmion) March 18, 2014

2 DOAs at helicopter crash scene near space needle. pic.twitter.com/JwhBs2nYUF

— Seattle Fire Dept (@SeattleFire) March 18, 2014

Grim faces of Seattle Center area workers as they view the wreckage if a fatal news helicopter crash in Seattle pic.twitter.com/yZ9km04KSW

— gary chittim (@gchittimK5) March 18, 2014

Sand solution: W/ help from nearby const. site, SFD got sand on street to corral spilled fuel from helo crash. pic.twitter.com/uIYkzoXIZw

— Larry Altose (@ecyseattle) March 18, 2014

KOMO anchor Dan Lewis was at airport on way to DC to interview Obama. Scrapped those plans to lead local coverage of helicopter crash in SEA

— Jeff Paterson (@patersonjeff) March 18, 2014

Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, our friends at KOMO and those affected by the helicopter crash this morning.

— Seattle Storm (@seattlestorm) March 18, 2014

So many fond memories Bill Strothman. So many adventures. Our hearts break more than words can express. pic.twitter.com/0JJLEnCGXU

— Connie Thompson (@ConnieKOMO) March 18, 2014

Listening to the #komo anchor emotionally talk about the crash & his

Dan Lewis crying on komo 4 is too much for me right now…

— Haris (@htotherizzle) March 18, 2014

Mayor of Seattle @Mayor_Ed_Murray gets briefing from fire officials after KOMO News helicopter crash at Space Needle pic.twitter.com/P1c1cOPhPr

— Joshua Trujillo (@joshtrujillo) March 18, 2014