The Coast Guard has found the last life raft from two helicopters carrying 12 Marines that crashed off Hawaii last week.
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The debris field spanned more than 7 miles off the coast, the Coast Guard said.
A total of 12 people were on board the two aircraft, Mooers said.
The transport helicopters, known as CH-53Es, crashed Thursday just before midnight, officials said.
Two US Marine Corps heavy-lift helicopters is said have collided in mid-air and then ditched in the water north of the island of Oahu today.
There was no immediate word on the fate of those aboard or what caused the accident.
Carr said rough seas are further scattering and churning debris.
The U.S. Coast Guard searched Friday for survivors seven miles offshore but were hampered by bad weather. According to Marine Captain Timothy Irish the wreckage was scattered over a two-mile area.
The two helicopters were believed to have collided late Thursday, Mooers said.
The U.S. Coast Guard Cutters Kiska (WPB-1336) and Ahi (WPB-87634), stationed out of Hilo and Honolulu, respectively, as well as an MH-65 helicopter and an HC-130 Hercules aircraft are searching the waters around the island. “We have a general idea so the search has actually expanded in a wider area right now”, said Guy Chang, Department of Land and Natural Resources.
A Navy P-3 airplane was scouring the ocean, along with helicopters from the Coast Guard, Army, Navy and Honolulu police and fire departments.
A Navy helicopter and several other boats and planes from local authorities are also involved in the search. “We are definitely hoping to bring these guys back”, she said Saturday morning.
“Please note the location of debris and we will provide you a number to call very shortly”, the message says. According to the unit’s website, it is stationed at Marine Corps Naval Air Station Kaneohe Bay.
The Oregonian reports that a man from Oregon is among the 12 Marines missing after two helicopters crashed off Hawaii.
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The 2012 high school graduated married his high school sweetheart, Hanna, six months ago, and the couple live on base in Hawaii. In 2012, one person was killed and three injured when a CH-53D Sea Stallion made a “hard impact” landing while on a night training flight.
