HONOLULU (AP) – Two Marine helicopters collided off the Oahu coast in Hawaii, and rescuers were looking for the 12 crew members aboard.
Marine Capt. Timothy Irish said Friday that each helicopter had a crew of six from Marine Corps Base Hawaii. He says no other passengers were aboard either aircraft during the nighttime training mission.
Irish said officials spotted a debris area spanning about 2 miles, and the surf was choppy just before daybreak in Hawaii. The helicopters collided about 2 1/2 miles offshore around 11:40 p.m. Thursday.
The Coast Guard is the lead agency for the search. Irish says the Coast Guard has helicopters on scene and is coordinating with some Navy and Air Force aircraft.
A Honolulu Fire Department rescue boat also is searching.
