Pilot Known for His Stunts Identified as Owner of Helicopter That Crashed at California Beach, Injuring 5

NEED TO KNOW

• A helicopter crashed in Huntington Beach, Southern California, on Saturday, Oct. 11

• According to local news studies, the plane is owned by pilot Eric Nixon, who was flying alongside one other passenger

• The Huntington Beach Police Department said 5 people have been hospitalized following the crash

A pilot who steadily carried out daring stunts has been recognized as the proprietor of the helicopter that (*5*)crashed in Southern California, injuring 5 people.

According to local news outlet The Orange County Register, Jerry Miller of Redlands confirmed his son-in-law, Eric Nixon, was the pilot of the helicopter that crashed in Huntington Beach on Saturday, Oct. 11.

“He’s in the hospital with some broken ribs, crushed vertebrae and several bruises,” Miller told the outlet.

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Officials haven’t yet verified Nixon as the pilot in the incident. However, a current post on his Instagram seems to verify Miller’s declare.

“Pilot and passenger are safe! Being transported to a medical facility to get checked out,” the Oct. 11 post reads.

Nixon has built a reputation on social media for being a daredevil pilot with clips on his Instagram often showing him performing stunts in helicopters, including low-level sprints, sharp turns and risky maneuvers while in the air.

Just after 2 p.m. local time on Saturday, the helicopter believed to be Nixon’s crashed and became wedged between a building and a tree near Twin Dolphins Drive and Beach Boulevard.

The Huntington Beach Police Department (HBPD) confirmed in a statement shared on Facebook that there were two people aboard the helicopter, who were transported to the hospital, along with the other people who were injured on the ground in the crash.

The helicopter was associated with the Cars and Copters event, scheduled for Sunday, Oct. 12, according to the HBPD.

The event organizers said in a statement posted on Instagram, “We are sending our prayers out to all involved in the unfortunate incident today. Our plan for now is to move forward with our event tomorrow. We will advise everyone at the earliest possible opportunity if that plan changes.”

In footage of the crash posted on TikTok, the helicopter is seen flying at a low altitude over the beach before it eventually spins to the ground and crashes near the 21500 block of Pacific Coast Highway, hitting palm trees on its way down.

Another clip posted on the app Citizen exhibits the helicopter caught between a Hyatt Regency Hotel and a palm tree, per ABC 7 Los Angeles.

Authorities have not shared what caused the crash amid their ongoing investigation.

PEOPLE has reached out to the HBPD and FAA for comment.

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