Helicopter crashes into waves off crowded Miami beach

WASHINGTON, Feb 19 (Reuters) – Federal agencies are investigating the crash of a helicopter with three passengers into the Atlantic Ocean close to swimmers and sun bathers in Miami Beach, Florida, on Saturday.

A Robinson R44 helicopter plunged into the ocean close to a crowded beach at 1:20 p.m. local time, the Federal Aviation Administration said. The agency is investigating the cause of the crash with the National Transportation Safety Board.

A view of a helicopter crashing into the ocean in Miami Beach, Miami, Florida, U.S., February 19, 2022, in this still image obtained from social media video. Courtesy of Miami Beach Police Department/@MiamiBeachPD/via REUTERS

The Miami Beach police and fire departments responded to the scene and said on Twitter that two of the passengers were transported to a local hospital “in stable condition.”

Video footage of the crash showed the helicopter diving into an area that was full of swimmers.

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Reporting by Valerie Volcovici in Washington
Editing by Matthew Lewis

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

source: reuters.com