Three people are dead and four are in critical condition after a helicopter crashed near the Grand Canyon Saturday afternoon, according to Hualapai Nation Police Chief Francis Bradley.
Chief Bradley said a Papillion Airways aircraft carrying a pilot and six passengers crashed in the Quartermaster Canyon sometime around 5:20 p.m.
He said the helicopter was on a tour. Papillion Airways is based in the Las Vegas area.
Dispatch received the emergency call regarding the crash at 5:31 p.m. Multiple agencies are assisting in the investigation.
Allen Kenitzer with the FAA Office of Communications confirmed in an email that the helicopter, a Eurocopter EC130, "crashed under unknown circumstances in the Grand Canyon."
He said the helicopter "sustained substantial damage" and, citing local authorities, that 7 people were on board.
The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will be investigating.
Source: ktnv.com