Two helicopters of U.S. Marine Corps CH-53 with twelve people aboard were missing Friday off the coast of Hawaiian Island after an apparent collision, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
Marine Major Christian Devine said Friday that Coast Guards was searching for survivors.
The Marine Corps can confirm there is an active search and rescue for 2 CH-53’s of the coast of Oahu. pic.twitter.com/3eIHloJYOx
— U.S. Marines (@USMC) January 15, 2016
Searchers spotted a fire about two and a half miles north of Haleiwa Beach, including a debris field and an empty life raft, according to Chief Petty Officer Sara Mooers of the Coast Guard.
According to Mooers, the two aircraft were believed to have collided late Thursday off Oahu’s north shore.
Witnesses said that they heard a loud explosion and saw a flash in the sky.
Mooers said that the two heavy-lift transport helicopters were carrying 6 people each.
The missing aircraft are assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463, Part of the first Marine Airwing, Marine Corps tweeted Friday.
The aircraft are from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st MAW in Hawaii. pic.twitter.com/Gn4VmXOIgM
— U.S. Marines (@USMC) January 15, 2016
There are 12 Marines unaccounted for as a result of this incident. @USCG conducting search and rescue mission now. pic.twitter.com/1t4BlMN6FS
— U.S. Marines (@USMC) January 15, 2016
Coast Guard helicopters, an HC-130 search plane and two cutters are now searching the collision site for survivors, the Coast Guard said. -John Esconde
