AP Photo/La Voz-The Arizona Republic, AJ Alexander

Two news helicopters fall after colliding in midair while covering a police pursuit in central Phoenix, Friday, July 27, 2007, killing everyone on both aircraft, police said. Both helicopters were from local television stations. KNXV-TV Channel 15 reported that one of the choppers belonged to its station. The other chopper was from KTVK Channel 3 in Phoenix.

KTVK-TV Patti Kirkpatrick anchor tearfully told viewers that one of the helicopters was theirs, and that the pilot and photographer aboard were killed. KNXV-TV said the other helciopter was theirs.

The helicopters crashed in flames in a grassy area of Steele Indian School Park.

The helicopters collided while covering a police pursuit of a man in a construction truck.

KNXV-TV has confirmed Craig Smith and photographer Rick Krolak were aboard. 3TV has confirmed that Scott Bowerbank, 42, and photographer Jim Cox, 37, were on board.

3TV reporter Mike Watkiss who worked with Bowerbank throughout the years called him a "great pilot." Watkiss also referred to Cox as a "beautiful artist" and "sensitive soul," saying he was one of the best in the business. Watkiss said that both had the "fire in the belly" required to work in the competititve business of television news. Bowerbank had worked for Channel 3 since February of 2004. Cox had been with the station since Jaunary of 1995.

"Our job is to cover the news, in this case, a chase pursuit. But as a helicopter pilot, you're not only covering the news -- you're dealing with news producers in your (earpiece), you're aware of other aircraft," said 3TV helicopter news reporter/photographer Hilton Metzner.

"It's like a symphony, but there's also an element of danger. It can be overwhelming at times. (I) can't believe this. We'll try to continue doing what we do, but this is surreal right now," he said.

A witness named Charles, who didn't want his last name used, said he heard a loud gunshot-like sound and heard a really loud bang and then saw two helicopters coming straight down.

He said they burst into flames and they were 100 yards away from him.

Sgt. Joel Tranter with the Phoenix Police Department said officers were pursuing a utility-type vehicle that was reportedly stolen from Seventh Street and Mohave sometime around noon on Friday.

An officer saw the vehicle and then the suspect saw the fully marked police car and ran into the car, which is considered assault on an officer, Sgt. Joel Tranter with the Phoenix Police Department said. A short pursuit ensued with several media helicopters also following the chase.

During that process, Tranter said, there was a mid-air collision between the two helicopters. The suspect, who has not been identified has since been taken into custody after a stand-off at a home in the West Valley, said Bob Ragsdale with the Phoenix Police Department.

A perimeter has been set up around the park.

"We had a huge tragedy here of great magnitude," Tranter said. "It's terrible for us to see this type of tragedy."

Phoenix Police Chief Jack Harris said that the suspect in the chase could face charges in the accident.

Gov. Janet Napolitano offered her condolences to the families and co-workers of the four men.

Napolitano issued a statement, saying the four "delivered expert coverage of the news to the businesses and homes of Arizonans on a daily basis." She says they will be surely missed.