Helicopter Crashes into Biscayne Bay in Miami, One Dead and Two Injured
A helicopter crash in Miami, Florida, on Wednesday morning has left one person dead and two others injured. The helicopter was carrying three people on board.
Authorities including the U.S. Coast Guard responded to the crash at approximately 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday. According to the Coast Guard, the helicopter, a Robinson R44 II, crashed in the waters of Biscayne Bay, east of Miami Executive Airport.
The Coast Guard said, '1 person is reported deceased & 2 people were transported by EMS to a higher level of care.'
The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office also confirmed the crash, saying Miami-Dade Fire, City of Miami Fire, and Key Biscayne Fire Rescue responded to the scene as part of a coordinated emergency response, that three individuals were involved in the incident, and that emergency personnel worked together to provide assistance.
According to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, two adult patients with traumatic injuries were transported by ground rescue units from Miami Fire Rescue and Key Biscayne Fire Rescue to a designated landing zone, where Miami-Dade Fire Rescue air rescue flew them to the main trauma center.
Aerial footage shared online showed the helicopter submerged upside down in the water, with its yellow emergency floats still attached.
The National Transportation Safety Board said it is investigating the crash. The Federal Aviation Administration has been asked for additional comment.
The crash came just days after a business jet carrying nine people crashed in Greenacres, in Florida's Palm Beach County, on Sunday, killing everyone on board. Shortly before that crash, the crew reported accumulating ice, turbulence and precipitation before declaring a Mayday; as the aircraft rapidly lost altitude, the pilot warned air traffic control that the jet was in an overspeed condition before nose-diving into the ground.
