At least 3 killed as medical helicopter crashes into sea off Japan, 3 onboard recued | World News
In a tragic incident, a medical transport helicopter crashed into a sea off the southwestern Japan coast, killing the patient and two other people on board, the Japan coast guard said on Monday, Associated Press reported.
At least three people, pilot Hiroshi Hamada, 66, Kazuto Yoshitake, a helicopter mechanic and a 28-year-old nurse, Sakura Kunitake were rescued after the emergency responders found them clinging to lifesavers.
The three people rescued the coast guard team suffered hypothermia but remained conscious, an official with the coast guard told AP.
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In this image released the 7th Regional Japan Coast Guard Headquarters, rescuers work near people aboard a medical transport helicopter after it fell into the sea in southwestern Japan. (The 7th Regional Japan Coast Guard Headquarters via AP)
The three people who died were identified and their bodies were later recovered a Japan Air Self-Defense Force helicopter.
Those who died in the helicopter crash were: medical doctor, Kei Arakawa, 34; Mitsuki Motoishi, 86, the patient, and her caretaker Kazuyoshi Motoishi, 68.
This image released the 7th Regional Japan Coast Guard Headquarters, shows a medical transport helicopter which fell into the sea in southwestern Japan. (The 7th Regional Japan Coast Guard Headquarters via AP)
The rescue mission was launched Japan’s coast guard with two planes and three ships being deployed to the area.
The coast guard on Monday said that the cause of the crash is not known yet and it remains under the investigation.Story continues below this ad
The helicopter took off from an airport in Nagasaki prefecture and was heading to a hospital in Fukuoka along with a patient when it crashed, the coast guard said.
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