Pampanga businessman, 2 others die in Bulacan chopper crash

A helicopter crashed into a fish pond in Malolos, Bulacan, killing all its three passengers on Thursday afternoon.

According to a report by Benjie Liwanag of Super Radyo dzBB, authorities identified the victims as businessman Liberato "Levy" Laus, bodyguard Wilfran Esteban, and pilot Captain Eder Coronel.

The incident happened around 12:50 p.m. at a fish pond in Barangay Anilao.

The victims were brought to the hospital, Bulacan Provincial Police director Police Colonel Chito Bersaluna said.

Only two of the victims were initially reported to have died.

The third succumbed to injuries at past 3 p.m. 

According to a separate report on GMA News TV's Balita Pilipinas Ngayon, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said the chopper was bound for San Fernando, Pampanga and crashed 19 minutes after it took off from NAIA General Aviation Hangar.

Laus was the chairman and founder of LausGroup of Companies and is a well-known personality in Pampanga. — Dona Magsino/MDM/NB/RSJ, GMA News