12 feared dead as military helicopters collide and crash into sea off Hawaii

Twelve people are feared dead after two military helicopters collided over Hawaii. They were on board two Marine Corps aircraft which were carrying six crew members each. Witnesses reporting hearing a loud boom and seeing a big flare-up in the sky. Rescuers have spotted debris about 2.5 miles (4km) and an empty life raft off the north shore of the Hawaiian island of Oahu. So far, however, there has been no trace of the crew.

The Marine Corps can confirm there’s an active search and rescue operation ongoing for two CH-53 helicopters off the coast of Oahu

Maj Christian Devine

The missing aircraft were from the nearby Kaneohe Bay US Marine Corps Air Station. It is not yet clear what caused the collision. Two Coast Guard aircraft – a MH65 helicopter and an HC130 Coast Guard airplane – were searching for survivors with assistance from a Navy helicopter crew and the Honolulu Fire Department, which has a helicopter and rescue boat on scene. However, waves reaching 40 feet were said to be hampering rescue efforts.

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