Sun, Feb 19, 2006
Two Rescued Immediately, 10 Others Feared Dead
All 12 crewmembers aboard two Marine CH-53E heavy-lift
helicopters (file photo of type, below) that crashed yesterday off
the coast of Djibouti have been accounted for, Combined Joint Task
Force Horn of Africa officials reported in a statement issued
Saturday.
Citing ongoing family notifications, officials did not release
any information regarding the crewmembers' status or condition...
although it doesn't appear the other 10 people onboard the
helos survived.
Two crewmembers were rescued shortly after the crash and were
taken to Camp Lemonier, Djibouti, where one underwent knee surgery.
The second crewmember suffered muscular and skeletal bruising, no
fractures, and may have inhaled contaminated sea water, officials
said.
Both were listed in stable condition, and were to be transported
to the Army's Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany
today.
Officials said search and rescue operations have been
"curtailed," but that recovery efforts continue for pertinent
information, equipment and wreckage to aid the investigation board
that will determine the cause of the crash.
The helicopters were part of the HMH 464 squadron based at
Marine Corps Air Station New River, an active duty unit in
Jacksonville, N.C. The helicopters were flying a two-hour training
mission in the Godoria Range area in northern Djibouti. The weather
at the time of the crash was reported to be partly cloudy, about 80
degrees, with light to variable winds and unlimited visibility,
officials said.
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