VMSTAR: Coast Guard recovering downed medical helicopter

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Sheriff: Two bodies recovered from helicopter crash

February 6, 2008 - 12:17AM

Valley Freedom Newspapers

SOUTH PADRE ISLAND - A Valley AirCare helicopter crashed in Laguna Madre about

9:30 p.m. Tuesday, officials said. Cameron County Sheriff Lucio said two

bodies had been found.

Officials were still searching for a third person reported to be on board the

helicopter.

According to initial reports, the pilot and two medics were on board.

Lucio said the helicopter left Harlingen and was en route to pick up a patient

on the Island. But the helicopter was unable to land and was heading back when

officials lost contact with the helicopter, Lucio said.

The crew of a Coast Guard Corpus Christi HU-25C rescue aircraft located the down

helicopter's fuselage and is joined in the search effort by a Coast Guard Corpus

Christi HH-65C rescue helicopter, two Coast Guard Station South Padre Island

rescue boats, and a rescue boat from the Coast Guard patrol boat BRANT,

according to a Coast Guard news release.

The Coast Guard received the report of a down helicopter at approximately 9:50

p.m. and located the wreckage at approximately 11:00 p.m.

The crash site was determined to be approximately 2.5 miles west of the South

Padre Island Convention Centre, Lucio said. Lucio said the site was just east of

Holly Beach.

South Padre Island spokesman Moody said emergency responders were using

the convention center as a staging area for a rescue operation. Local, state and

federal officials were helping in the search.

Brownsville Fire Chief Lenny said the helicopter departed Harlingen, but

its destination was unknown.

A justice of the peace had been called to the Coast Guard station on the Island,

according to dispatcher traffic. Brownsville Fire Department divers were also on

the scene.

Check back to valleystar.com for more on this developing story.

VMSTAR: Coast Guard recovering downed medical helicopter

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