KHOU-TV

The helicopter crashed in a wooded area northwest of Houston.

MAGNOLIA, Texas — A news helicopter belonging to Houston ABC affiliate KTRK crashed in Montgomery County Monday morning, killing two people on board.

KTRK said pilot John Downhower and photographer Dave Garrett were aboard SkyEye HD 13 at the time of the crash. The station said it contracted use of the helicopter from Metro Traffic.

The chopper went down in a heavily-wooded area on the way to a report of a triple shooting.

Harold Robinson, who lives near the crash site, told KHOU-TV that he heard the helicopter and then an explosion. He said he called 911.

It was unclear what caused the crash.

Thick smoke could be seen rising from the site, and debris and flames were scattered among the trees.

Part of the tail of the aircraft, bearing an identifiable logo, was visible on the ground near the scene of the crash.

Rescue teams quickly extinguished the flames, leaving a large charred area in the woods.

The Montgomery County justice of the peace was at the scene.

"All of us at KTRK-TV are deeply saddened by the tragic accident involving SkyEye13 and our hearts go out to the families of the pilot and the photographer," station spokesman Tom Ash said.

"It's a terrible loss for our community and our industry," said KHOU-TV Executive News Director Keith Connors. "Our hearts go out to our colleagues at KTRK.

KHOU-TV, WFAA.com and the Associated Press contributed to this report.