A U.S. Marine helicopter crashed off the coast of Hawaii killing one person and injuring another three, officials said Wednesday.
The Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter crashed off the coast of Kaneohe, Hawaii Tuesday night at around 7:30 p.m. local time, around 2 miles from Marine Corps Base Hawaii, KITV reported.
Following the crash, the U.S. Coast Guard deployed planes and boats to the scene, and a Honolulu Fire Department helicopter was able to rescue the three surviving Marines and transport them to base before they were taken to Queen’s Medical Center. On Wednesday, one fatal victim was confirmed.
Reports indicate that the surviving Marines were in critical condition, and the Coast Guard established a 500-yard ‘safe zone’ around the crash site to prevent people from entering the area where recovery teams work.