Eight die in US helicopter crash
Eight people were killed and a ninth was reported critically injured after a helicopter bound for offshore US oil fields crashed in marshlands about 100 miles southwest of New Orleans.
The helicopter, operated by PHI Inc, crashed shortly after taking off from PHI’s base in Amelia, said Richard Rovinelli, a spokesman for the company.
The cause of the crash was not clear. Mr Rovinelli did not know the type of helicopter or its exact destination.
He said the helicopter was carrying two pilots and six passengers. Identities of the victims have not yet been released.
Lafayette-based PHI is a primary provider of helicopter services to oil and gas platforms that dot the coast of Louisiana. It also flies medical helicopters.
Workers typically are flown to and from their worksites from coastal flight bases. In June, a PHI Air Medical helicopter crashed in Texas, killing four.
