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Search in US Army helicopter crash called off | Search in US Army helicopter crash called off |
(about 9 hours later) | |
US officials have ended a search for seven marines and four soldiers believed to have been killed in a helicopter crash in Florida. | |
"The decision to suspend is always difficult," Layne Carter, search and rescue coordinator, said on Thursday. | "The decision to suspend is always difficult," Layne Carter, search and rescue coordinator, said on Thursday. |
The helicopter crashed near Pensacola during a training exercise from Eglin Air Base. | The helicopter crashed near Pensacola during a training exercise from Eglin Air Base. |
Divers have found the wreckage of a UH-60 helicopter - known as Black Hawk that crashed amid dense fog on Tuesday. | Divers have found the wreckage of a UH-60 helicopter - known as Black Hawk that crashed amid dense fog on Tuesday. |
But continuing bad weather on Thursday prevented the recovery of the flight recorder from wreckage 25ft (7m) deep. | But continuing bad weather on Thursday prevented the recovery of the flight recorder from wreckage 25ft (7m) deep. |
The Louisiana National Guard has confirmed two of their soldiers died and they believe two more "remain with the aircraft". | The Louisiana National Guard has confirmed two of their soldiers died and they believe two more "remain with the aircraft". |
Officials with the Guard said nine bodies had been recovered in total, according to the Pensacola News Journal. | Officials with the Guard said nine bodies had been recovered in total, according to the Pensacola News Journal. |
"At this point, we're not hopeful for survivors, and we are transitioning our Search and Rescue to a recovery effort," Colonel Monte Cannon, of the Louisiana National Guard said. | "At this point, we're not hopeful for survivors, and we are transitioning our Search and Rescue to a recovery effort," Colonel Monte Cannon, of the Louisiana National Guard said. |
And officials at Camp Lejeune, where the Marines were based, said they were "not hopeful of finding any survivors". | And officials at Camp Lejeune, where the Marines were based, said they were "not hopeful of finding any survivors". |
Much of the area was enveloped in fog on Tuesday evening, said Katie Moore with the National Weather Service in Tallahassee, with visibility at two miles (3.2km) or less. | Much of the area was enveloped in fog on Tuesday evening, said Katie Moore with the National Weather Service in Tallahassee, with visibility at two miles (3.2km) or less. |
During a hearing in Washington on Wednesday, Defence Secretary Ashton Carter said "all our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families as the search and rescue operation continues". | During a hearing in Washington on Wednesday, Defence Secretary Ashton Carter said "all our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families as the search and rescue operation continues". |
The accident is under investigation. | The accident is under investigation. |
"It was certainly a high-impact crash," said Eglin Fire Chief Mark Giuliano. | "It was certainly a high-impact crash," said Eglin Fire Chief Mark Giuliano. |
Dozens of airmen walked the nearby beach on Thursday to search for debris as the Coast Guard searched the water. | Dozens of airmen walked the nearby beach on Thursday to search for debris as the Coast Guard searched the water. |
Pieces of clothing and bits of the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter have washed ashore, and homeowners have contacted the military to pick it up, Mike Spaits, a base spokesman, said. | Pieces of clothing and bits of the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter have washed ashore, and homeowners have contacted the military to pick it up, Mike Spaits, a base spokesman, said. |
A second helicopter participating in the routine training mission returned safely. | A second helicopter participating in the routine training mission returned safely. |
Both aircraft are assigned to the 1-244th Assault Helicopter Battalion in Hammond, Louisiana. | Both aircraft are assigned to the 1-244th Assault Helicopter Battalion in Hammond, Louisiana. |
Their names are not being released while relatives are notified, but the Associated Press news agency reported the helicopter had a veteran crew from that served multiple tours in Iraq and helped with humanitarian missions after the Gulf Coast hurricanes and the BP oil spill. | Their names are not being released while relatives are notified, but the Associated Press news agency reported the helicopter had a veteran crew from that served multiple tours in Iraq and helped with humanitarian missions after the Gulf Coast hurricanes and the BP oil spill. |