From Times Online
March 13, 2009
16 missing as helicopter ditches off Newfoundland
March 13, 2009
16 missing as helicopter ditches off Newfoundland
Times Online
Canadian rescuers are searching freezing Atlantic waters for 16 people missing after a helicopter heading to an oil platform ditched in the sea off Newfoundland.
Of the 18 people on board the Sikorsky-92 helicopter, one man was rescued and a body was recovered. The other 16 were missing 30 miles (48 km) out to sea, officials said.
Two empty life rafts were spotted in the water amid debris from the helicopter that was spread over a six mile area. Although there were no signs of survivors eight hours after the accident, which happened at 8 am local time on Thursday, rescuers said they still held out hope as the missing people were believed to be wearnig survival suits, which retain body warmth in frigid seas as well as acting as life vests.
"We'll continue to search until there is absolutely no chance that any survivors may be located," said Major Denis McGuire of Halifax's Rescue Coordination Center.
The heliocpter had reported mechanical problems and had turned around to return to its base in St Johns, Newfoundland, when it was forced to dtich, according to local media.Officials withCanada's Transportation Safety Board have begun an investigation into the incident.
Canadian rescuers are searching freezing Atlantic waters for 16 people missing after a helicopter heading to an oil platform ditched in the sea off Newfoundland.
Of the 18 people on board the Sikorsky-92 helicopter, one man was rescued and a body was recovered. The other 16 were missing 30 miles (48 km) out to sea, officials said.
Two empty life rafts were spotted in the water amid debris from the helicopter that was spread over a six mile area. Although there were no signs of survivors eight hours after the accident, which happened at 8 am local time on Thursday, rescuers said they still held out hope as the missing people were believed to be wearnig survival suits, which retain body warmth in frigid seas as well as acting as life vests.
"We'll continue to search until there is absolutely no chance that any survivors may be located," said Major Denis McGuire of Halifax's Rescue Coordination Center.
The heliocpter had reported mechanical problems and had turned around to return to its base in St Johns, Newfoundland, when it was forced to dtich, according to local media.Officials withCanada's Transportation Safety Board have begun an investigation into the incident.
The survival window is about 24 hours with the suits and water-activated locator beacons, he said.
Survivor Robert Dekcer was last night in critical but stable condition at St John's hospital.
Premier Danny Williams issued a statement today expressing condolences to the family and friends of the person who died in the tragic accident.
“I cannot begin to imagine the sorrow and despair of those who are left to mourn this incredible tragedy,” he said.
The crash came less than a month after a helicopter ferrying oil workers crashed into the North Sea off Scotland. All 18 on board were rescued after the aircraft landed upright a few hundred yards from the oil platform and was kept afloat by inflatable bags that deploy when the craft lands on water.
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