MANILA, April 25 (Xinhua) -- A helicopter crashed on Thursday afternoon in the northern Philippines, killing three people, local police said.

Bernard Banac, the spokesman of the Philippine National Police, said the helicopter crashed at around 12:30 p.m. local time in the fishpond in Bulacan province, north of the Philippine capital Manila.

Two people, including the pilot of the helicopter, died instantly at the crash site and another one died while being given medical attention at a nearby hospital, said Banac.

Police described the helicopter as a "total wreck."

The Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines said the helicopter, owned and operated by a transportation company, left Manila for San Fernando City in Pampanga province in the northern Philippines.

Investigators are looking into why the helicopter crashed.