3 dead and hundreds injured after crash at Reno air show

RENO, Nev. — As thousands watched in horror, a World War II-era fighter plane competing in a Nevada air show race suddenly pitched upward, rolled and did a nose-dive toward the crowded grandstand.
 At least three people were killed and more than 50 injured. It was feared the death toll could rise. Air race officials said an update would be provided within the hour.

The plane, flown by a 74-year-old veteran Hollywood stunt pilot, slammed into the concrete in a section of VIP box seats and blew to pieces in front the pilot's family and a tight-knit group of friends who attend the annual event in Reno.

"It absolutely disintegrated," said Tim O'Brien of Grass Valley Calif., who attends the races every year. "I've never seen anything like that before."

The crash, which happened just before 4:30 p.m. during the National Championship Air Races at the Reno-Stead Airport, left a horrific scene strewn with smoking debris.

Bloodied bodies were spread across the area as people tended to the victims and ambulances rushed to the scene. Video of the aftermath showed a man with his leg severed at the knee.