Screwed Trademark.
Whoa: Its not just that simple.
I suspect the ILS to be around 5-8 nms long and assume this 707 was established, then that could put the accident within a few miles of the airport.
VFR Helicopters can operate with reduced [not Nil, as in black] visibilty, and here in Oz that is called Helicopter VMC.
"Daylight Hours" Only
Below 700 ft AMSL
800 mts Vis.
However at night, when most of the accidents happen, this does not apply and therefore if not IFR then 5000 mts vis applies, plus clear of cloud, in sight of ground/water etc.
Its the night VFR helicopters pushing into the dark black nights that have killed a bunch of people here in Oz over the last 5 years or so. However these news guys, would be within a few miles of an airport, and may [I did not see what you saw] have had surface lights and underneath the ILS minima and may be legally visual.
But I agree, its a rather dumb idea to plod around in such circumstances, even if it made the news coverage look good.
Over to someone that knows the FAA rules.