Cranbroo (British Columbia):  A helicopter plunged to the ground and burst into flames in western Canada killing three on board and a pedestrian on the street.

Elmer Bautz said he watched the helicopter fly around for a few minutes before it came crashing down onto a passerby yesterday.

"It actually touched the pedestrian and I think that's when it decapitated (the pedestrian)," Bautz said.

"It pulled him about 20 feet along after it hit."

Bill Yearwood, a spokesman for Canada's Transportation Safety Board, said the pilot, two passengers in the helicopter and a pedestrian died.

Yearwood said the helicopter was under hire by British Columbia Hydro.

Bautz said several people living nearby tried to help pull people from the wreckage.

Mary Fiorention, who lives about two blocks from the crash site, said it landed very close to houses.

Other residents said the helicopter was flying about 30 meters above the ground before it went down.

Source : PTI