Cameraman John Bean and experienced pilot Gary Ticehurst are also believed to have died in the crash, which happened on the eastern shores of Lake Eyre, in the state's northern outback, about 7.30pm (10pm NZ time) on Thursday.
The ABC confirmed it had a news crew flying in a helicopter in that region at the time of the crash.
"Police have notified us that a chopper has gone down," a spokesman for the network told AAP.
"We are deeply worried because we did have a news crew in a chopper in the region."
Emergency services were racing to the crash site early on Friday, with SA Police saying they did not expect to reach the scene until 2am (4:30am NZ time).
Eyewitnesses described seeing the chopper going down in flames, though it remains unclear what caused the accident.
The weather around Lake Eyre was clear at the time of the crash, with just a few scattered showers.
William Creek pilot Trevor Wright told Adelaidenow.com.au the aircraft had been carrying out aerial photography and video work when it went down.
Occupants of the helicopter had been due to meet a group on the edge of the lake for dinner, Mr Wright added.
"When the helicopter didn't turn up, they became anxious and sent out a search party on foot; then they found the wreck," Mr Wright said.
Multiple media outlets reported Mr Lockyer had died in the crash.
An ABC profile said Mr Lockyer was one of the network's most experienced reporters, with more than 39 years in the job.
He began working for the ABC in Perth in 1969 and went on to become a foreign correspondent before joining the Nine Network.
He rejoined the ABC in 1999 as Olympics reporter.
More recently he had focused on rural affairs, including issues involving water resources and had also reported from the Brisbane floods in early 2011.
Mr Bean was from Brisbane and had filmed around Lake Eyre on several occasions, Fairfax reported.
Mr Ticehurst was the founder and principal of Film Helicopters Australia and was a vastly experienced pilot.
The firm's website said it had held a contract with the ABC since 1980.
A SA Police statement issued on Thursday night confirmed three people onboard the helicopter died.
"Just before 7.30pm tonight, police received reports that a helicopter had crashed on the eastern side of Lake Eyre, approximately 142km northeast of William Creek and 146km north-northeast of Marree," the statement said.
"The remote location of the crash site and the weather conditions is making it difficult for police to access."
Source: yahoo
