Two people have died after a news helicopter crashed outside its station near the Seattle Space Needle in the US.

The accident, involving a KOMO-TV aircraft, sent clouds of black smoke over the city during the morning rush hour.

The Seattle Fire Department said in addition to the fatalities a man who managed to free himself from a car at the accident scene was taken to hospital.

The 37-year-old was taken to Harborview Medical Centre in a critical condition, it said.

The TV station said the helicopter was apparently lifting off from its rooftop when it possibly hit the side of the building and went down, hitting several vehicles on Broad Street.

The aircraft and cars exploded in flames. Plumes of black smoke rose from the crash scene as rescue vehicles converged on the area.

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