Helicopter With Four People On Board Crashes In Arizona - Authorities

MOSCOW, Jan 3 (Bernama-Sputnik/RIA Novosti) -- A helicopter has crashed in a mountainous area near Phoenix in the US state of Arizona, and a search and rescue operation is underway, according to US authorities, reported Sputnik/RIA Novosti.

The private helicopter crashed at around 11 am local time (18:00 GMT) on Friday, the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said, as cited by ABC News.

The FAA, which is investigating the crash along with the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), said there were four people on board the helicopter.

The Pinal County Sheriff's Office said, as cited by ABC news, that a search and rescue operation is underway and crews are trying to access the crash site, located in the mountains near Telegraph Canyon. No injuries have been confirmed yet.

-- BERNAMA-SPUTNIK/RIA NOVOSTI