Copter Crash Kills Clapton Band Members

EAST TROY, Wis. - A helicopter crashed into a hill near a resort concert hall this morning, killing five people including members of rock star Eric Clapton's band, authorities said.

Clapton was not aboard the helicopter, said Al Zimmerman, chief dispatcher of the Walworth County Sheriff's Department.

Identities of the victims won't be released until relatives are notified, authorities said.

The crash site was in a ski hill at Alpine Valley, a ski resort and outdoor-theater complex about six miles southwest of this southeastern Wisconsin town. Clapton, along with famed guitarists Robert Cray and Stevie Ray Vaughan, had played at the theater last night.

The helicopter, owned by Omni Flight Helicopters Inc., crashed into a field about 12:35 a.m. shortly after leaving the Alpine Valley music theater, said Omni spokesman Phil Huth.

``The helicopter was transporting a pilot and members of Eric Clapton's band,'' Huth said in releasing a prepared statement.

Though he would not say whether Clapton was aboard, Zimmerman said later that he had talked to Clapton's manager and confirmed the guitarist was not aboard.