News helicopter crash in Charlotte kills two

Two individuals were killed in Charlotte on Tuesday after a news helicopter crashed next to the side of Interstate 77, authorities said. 

The crash occurred next to I-77 south of the city center. The helicopter "[belonged] to the local television station WBTV," WCNC Charlotte reported.

Medical officials reportedly declared both occupants of the copter dead at the scene. There identities had not been shared as of Tuesday afternoon. 

The incident closed all lanes of I-77 in the area of the crash, with officials warning drivers that the closure would likely persist until midnight.