Fox News apologises over live 'suicide' in Phoenix, Arizona

The US network Fox News has apologised for showing a man fatally shoot himself in the head on live television.

Fox News on Friday was covering a high-speed chase that began in Phoenix, Arizona, using a live helicopter shot.

After driving for dozens of miles into the desert, the motorist stopped and ran on a dirt road. He then put a handgun to his head and fired.

Anchor Shepard Smith later apologised to viewers for not cutting away. "We really messed up," he said.

"We're all very sorry. That didn't belong on TV."

Phoenix police say the chase may have started with a carjacking.

Police spokesman Sgt Tommy Thompson said the man was alleged to have stolen the car from a couple at gunpoint outside a restaurant just before 11:00 local time (18:00 GMT).

Police tracked down the car and began pursuit. The driver fired several shots at the police car, but no officers were hurt.

The car travelled west on Interstate highway 10, before turning onto a dirt road about 70 miles (113km) to 80 miles from the state border with California.

"He got out of the car and shot himself," Sgt Thompson said. "Efforts to revive him were not successful and he was dead at the scene. We don't have an ID yet."

- BBC