Helicopter crash kills 4 in Canada

Flames engulf the wreckage of a fatal helicopter crash in a residential area in Cranbrook, B.C., Tuesday, May 13, 2008. A helicopter plunged to the ground and burst into flames in western Canada on Tuesday, killing three on board and a pedestrian on the street. (AP Photo/Elmer Bautz, The Canadian Press)

CRANBROOK, British Columbia—A helicopter plunged to the ground and burst into flames in a residential neighborhood in western Canada on Tuesday, killing the three people aboard and one person on the ground, officials said.

The aircraft flew over central Cranbrook for a few minutes before plummeting, striking and dragging a passer-by as it came down, according to Elmer Bautz, who said he witnessed the crash.

The "pedestrian walking on the street across from me," Bautz said.

The Bell 206 Jet Ranger left a trail of flames and wreckage as it skidded for several yards along a street in Cranbrook, 500 miles east of Vancouver.

Bill Yearwood, a spokesman for Canada's Transportation Safety Board, said the pilot, two passengers in the helicopter and a pedestrian died in the crash. He said investigators were trying to determine the cause of the crash.

Officials said the helicopter had been hired by BC Hydro, a provincial power company, and was ferrying two employees to a work site.

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.