Helicóptero de la Marina de EU cae al mar; hallan tres cuerpos

Helicóptero de la Marina de EU cae al mar; hallan tres cuerpos


SAN DIEGO, California, EU(Agencias)

La Guardia Costera de EU informó el miércoles que un helicóptero de la Marina estadounidense con cinco personas a bordo cayó al mar a 21 kilómetros (13 millas) al Sur de San Diego, cerca de las islas Coronado.

Los cuerpos de tres de los cinco ocupantes fueron recuperados horas después.

Los equipos de rescate continuaron buscando a los otros dos miembros de la tripulación, dijo la teniente Karen Burzynski, portavoz de la 3º Flota de la Armada en San Diego.

El oficial Henry Dunphy dijo que la Marina reportó la caída de un helicóptero Sea-hawk HH-60 poco después de la medianoche del martes.

Dunphy dijo que helicópteros y embarcaciones de la Guardia Costera, junto a la policía del puerto de San Diego, recorrían el área en busca de sobrevivientes.

No se informó si habían encontrado sobrevivientes o restos de la nave.



Nota Publicada: 20/05/2009 9:49
http://www.frontera.info/EdicionEnLinea/Notas/Internacional/20052009/376841.aspx

Search continues for 2 missing in fatal Navy helicopter crash

Search continues for 2 missing in fatal Navy helicopter crash
By Karen KucherUnion-Tribune Staff Writer
Originally published 6:22 a.m. May 20, 2009, updated 10:18 a.m., May 20, 2009






A Coast Guard search and rescue helicopter returns to headquarters near Lindbergh Field early this morning after searching for survivors of a Navy helicopter that crashed into the sea off the Coronado Islands while on a training mission. - ALBERT JOHNSON / Special to SignOnSanDiego




SAN DIEGO — Coast Guard rescue crews continued searching Wednesday morning for two possible survivors from the Navy helicopter that crashed into the ocean about 13 miles south of San Diego shortly before midnight Tuesday, claiming at least three lives.

The three bodies were recovered from the ocean Wednesday near the Coronado Islands, authorities said.

The HH-60 Seahawk helicopter was assigned to Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron 6, based at North Island Naval Air Station. The squadron is part of Carrier Air Wing 11.

Helicopters and boats from the Coast Guard, the Navy, the San Diego Harbor Police and the Mexican Navy were assisting in the search, said Coast Guard Petty Officer Henry Dunphy.

“We are still out there. A lot of folks are out there, searching and hoping for survivors,” Dunphy said.

Five people were aboard the helicopter when it went down at 11:36 p.m., Navy Lt. Karen Burzynski said.

The helicopter had taken off from the aircraft carrier Nimitz and was taking part in search-and-rescue training exercises when it crashed, Burzynski said.

The Coast Guard launched a 33-foot response boat and a helicopter shortly after hearing of the crash and diverted two Coast Guard cutters that were nearby. A Navy helicopter, a San Diego Harbor Police boat, a Customs and Border Protection boat and the Mexican navy also were assisting in the search, Dunphy said.

“The first priority is finding survivors,” Dunphy said. “Investigating the cause of the crash and recovery of the aircraft will probably be handled by the Navy.

“Right now, we are just focusing on searching for survivors.”

The Navy has not released the names of those who died.


http://www3.signonsandiego.com/stories/2009/may/20/bn20helo06224/