Two Marine helicopters collided early Wednesday morning off the coast of the Hawaiian island of Oahu.
The Coast Guard is leading a search off the island. The incident reportedly involved two CH53 helicopters, known as “Super Stallions.” Both helicopters had six people on board. There is no immediate sign of survivors in the crash, CBS reported.
Coast Guard rescue teams arrived on the scene just after midnight local time and found burning wreckage in the water, a debris field and an empty life raft, about 2.5 miles off the island’s north shore.
The Marine Corps confirmed the search and rescue in a tweet.
The aircraft were reportedly from the Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay.
A Navy helicopter and Honolulu Fire Department chopper and rescue boat were also taking part in the search, according to CBS.
Witnesses told local TV station KHON2 they heard a loud boom and saw a big flare-up in the sky. Local weather reports indicate rough seas could complicate the search, with waves expected to build to 30 to 40 feet by Friday morning.
• Kellan Howell can be reached at khowell@washingtontimes.com.
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