Oil rig chopper crashes in Gulf; four missing

Oil rig chopper crashes in Gulf; four missing
01:15 PM CST on Thursday, December 11, 2008

Associated Press

SABINE PASS, Texas — A helicopter with five people aboard crashed into the Gulf of Mexico on the way to an oil rig early Thursday, and rescue crews have picked up one survivor and continue to search for the others.

Coast Guard Petty Officer Renee Aiello said the Coast Guard was alerted at 9:47 a.m. by a call from the helicopter leasing company Rotorcraft Leasing Co. LLC of Broussard, La., which reported that the pilot had not checked in as scheduled.

A rescue helicopter crew found one adult male and debris in the water about two miles off the Texas coast. The man is alive but his condition is unknown, Aiello said.

"We know there was an event that took place; we're still in the process of searching," said Gerald Golden, director of operations for Rotorcraft. "Once we learn anything, we'll be in a position to give more details."
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