Homemade Aircraft Crashes Into Cell Tower In Corona, Killing 1

CORONA (CBSLA.com) — A homemade aircraft crashed into a cell tower in Corona Sunday, killing one occupant and leaving another with moderate injuries, according to fire officials.

Cal Fire, Riverside County and Corona City firefighters were called to the scene in the 20300 block of Farley Avenue shortly after 12 p.m.

Fire officials say one person was ejected and transported by ground ambulance to an area hospital with moderate injuries. A second occupant did not survive.

The aircraft was on the ground and not suspended in wires, officials say.

Neighbor Blanca Hill said she heard the crash from her home and hurried to the scene, where she found a woman crying out for help. Hill called 911.

"'Help, help! Somebody, please! Help!'" Hill, who is 76, remembered the woman saying. "It was very, very frustrating because I was so close to her but I couldn't do anything."

A 12-foot fence separated Hill from the woman.

"She told me she couldn't move and she had a lot of blood all over her," Hill said.

Fire officials arrived and were able to transport the victim to an area hospital.

"She was coherent but not moving under her own will," Riverside County Fire Dept. Battalion Chief Rich Owens said.

The National Transportation Safety Board is conducting an investigation into the crash.

Southern California Edison crews meanwhile turned off power to the cell tower so emergency personnel could work in the area safely.