SEVIERVILLE, TN (AP) – Officials say five people have died in the crash of a tourist helicopter in eastern Tennessee.

A Federal Aviation Administration spokeswoman says the Bell 206 sightseeing helicopter crash was reported at 3:30 p.m. Monday near Sevierville. Spokeswoman Kathleen Bergen said in an email that officials said the helicopter was destroyed by fire.

Pigeon Forge Fire Department said units were at the scene.

Tennessee Emergency Management Association spokesman Dean Flener confirmed late Monday afternoon that five people had died. The FAA released the following statement:

Local authorities notified the FAA that a Bell 206 sightseeing helicopter crashed near Sevierville, TN at 3:30 pm local time today. Officials said it was destroyed by fire. Local authorities will release the number of people on board, their names and conditions. The FAA will release the helicopter registration after that. We will update this statement when we get new information.

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