Helicopter crashes into Biscayne Bay off Key Biscayne in Miami; one dead, two hospitalized
A Robinson R44 II helicopter carrying three people crashed into Biscayne Bay near Key Biscayne in Miami, Florida, late on Wednesday morning. The U.S. Coast Guard said one person died and the other two were taken to hospital. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating; the cause has not been released.
A Robinson R44 II helicopter with three people on board crashed into Biscayne Bay near Key Biscayne in Miami, Florida, on Wednesday, 4 November, authorities said.
The Federal Aviation Administration said the helicopter went down in the water east of Miami Executive Airport at around 11:15 a.m. local time. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said it was called at 11:26 a.m. to reports of a helicopter crash near Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, at the southern tip of Key Biscayne, in a joint response with City of Miami Fire Rescue and Key Biscayne Fire Rescue.
The U.S. Coast Guard, which also responded, said one person was reported dead and two people were taken by ambulance "to a higher level of care". Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said the two adult trauma patients were airlifted to a trauma center; the Miami Herald reported they were flown to Ryder Trauma Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital. City of Miami Fire Rescue told NBC 6 that both survivors are men. Their names, ages and conditions have not been released.
Aerial footage from WSVN 7News showed a Miami-Dade Fire Rescue boat next to the helicopter's yellow floats in the water. The Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office said it is investigating the crash.
The National Transportation Safety Board said it is investigating, and preliminary information indicates it was a photography flight, ABC News reported. The FAA is also investigating. Officials have not said what caused the crash.
This is a developing story and will be updated as officials release more information.