On Tuesday, September 15, a news helicopter from NBC4 in Los Angeles suddenly plunged downward. It was being flown to cover a lethal accident involving a Metro bus and an SUV. Reporter Eliana Moreno and pilot George Marciniw both lost their lives in the horrific crash. A pedestrian from Guatemala, Edy Gutierrez Meija, also perished.
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Moreno and Marciniw's colleagues are shattered. The tragic loss of these two highly valued professionals is heartbreaking for them. Her family is now speaking out about their dear loved one. How much they miss and deeply cherished her is obvious. A statement from them was shared on Instagram on Thursday, September 17. Moreno's brother, Johan, captioned it, "RIP to my sister Eliana Moreno."
A Heartfelt Farewell
The message shared by Eliana Moreno's family reads as follows. "Since she was 11 years old, Eliana dreamed of becoming a news reporter. Through hard work and courage, she turned that dream into a reality. So much of that journey was made possible by all of you who welcomed her into your homes and onto your screens. Your support meant more to her than you may ever know.
We find comfort in knowing that Eliana left this world doing the very thing she loved, pursuing the passion she carried with her since she was a little girl. On behalf of her parents, siblings, fiance, stepsons, and beloved dogs, we want to thank everyone for the overwhelming love you have shown our beautiful Eliana.
We are infinitely proud of her and feel incredibly blessed to have had the privilege of loving her and calling her ours. Please continue to keep Eliana, her pilot George, Edy Gutierrez Meija, and the souls lost in the bus collision in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts."
New Video of the Copter Crash Has Surfaced
Investigators continue to probe the cause of the deadly copter crash. Additionally, new video has surfaced that may help them decipher exactly what happened. Per People, there was already video taken from the helicopter showing its final moments during a live stream. It rapidly descended for as-yet-unclear reasons
The live stream gives crucial information. "The video that was actually taken while the reporter was doing live coverage, that video is probably the most important evidence that we have discovered so far." That observation was made by National Transportation Safety Board Investigator in Charge Fabian Salazar. He spoke during a press conference on Wednesday, September 16, per ABC7 Eyewitness News.
Salazar added, "In that recording, we are clearly hearing sounds that are consistent with the engine changing its speed, and we're also hearing tones that are being generated that are likely advisories to the pilot, so it's important that we get that recording to our lab, so that they can be downloaded and we can get to that factual evidence that way."
