Brazilian TV anchor dies in helicopter crash

In this Oct 8, 2006 file photo, Ricardo Boechat, center, moderates a debate between Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, right, and presidential candidate Social Democrat Geraldo Alckmin, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Boechat, an award-winning Brazilian television news anchor, died in a helicopter crash in Sao Paulo on Monday, Feb. 11, 2019. He was 66. (AP Photo/Andre Penner, File)

SAO PAULO (AP) — An award-winning Brazilian television news anchor died Monday when a helicopter carrying him crashed on one of Sao Paulo's main highways.

TV Band says Ricardo Boechat was returning from a university in the city of Campinas when the helicopter crashed onto a truck. Police confirmed the pilot also died.

The 66-year-old Boechat anchored TV Band's main nightly news, as well as hosting a radio program and writing a column for IstoE magazine. He was also a frequent mediator of presidential debates for his network.

Boechat had won three of Brazil's most prestigious journalism awards for his reports on corruption. He was noted for poking fun at politicians across the political spectrum.

Police Captain Augusto Paiva said the truck driver suffered only minor injuries.

"The helicopter tried to land in an access road close to a toll station. But then the truck came and they crashed. The fire occurred because of the collision," Paiva said.

President Jair Bolsonaro, a frequent target of Boechat's criticism, expressed his condolences on Twitter. Boechat left six children.