One dead, 16 still missing after helicopter crash off Canada Atlantic coast

Source: Xinhua | 03-13-2009 07:52

OTTAWA, March 12 (Xinhua) -- One person is confirmed dead, one has survived and sixteen are still missing Thursday in the icy North Atlantic off Canada's Newfoundland province, following the crash of a helicopter that was carrying 18 offshore oil workers.

The chopper, which was en route from St. John's to the Hibernia offshore oil platform, went down about 65 kilometers southeast of St. John's, at about 9:18 a.m. local time (1218 GMT).

One person has been pulled from the water and is being treated in hospital. There is no word on his condition, but signs of life were visible when he was carried from the helicopter, Maj. Dennis McGuire of the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Center, told a St. John's news conference.

Another person was confirmed dead, he said, giving no details about how the deceased was recovered or the cause of death.

Two life rafts had been recovered, but there were no survivors in either raft, McGuire said, adding the rafts can be deployed manually or automatically from the helicopter.

He said that debris was spread across a six kilometer area and said rescue crews would continue searching.

The chopper was initially spotted floating upside down, but has now sunk, McGuire said.

Two Cormorant helicopters, a Herculese aircraft and an Aurora fixed-wing plane are still searching for survivors, along with two surface ships, he said.

The helicopter, operated by the Cougar Helicopters running businesses to and from the three oilfields in production off Newfoundland, was en route from St. John's to the Hibernia offshore oil platform. Two workers who were under contract to the Husky Oilfield, while the rest were working for Hibernia, the Canadian Television reported.

The helicopter had experienced mechanical troubles and attempted to turn back but went down a short time later, officials said earlier Thursday.

"Mechanical problems were reported and we don't know of what nature. The pilot reportedly ditched the helicopter. ... We don't know to whom, to where and at what time" the mechanical problems were reported, Julie Leroux, spokeswoman for the Transportation Safety Board, told reporters.

High winds were reported as rescue aircraft -- including a Hercules plane sent from neighboring province of Nova Scotia and four Cormorant helicopters -- were dispatched to the scene.

The Canadian coast guard has also sent one of its ships, and companies active in the offshore oil industry have joined the effort. A supply ship was also en route to the scene.

The crashed plane is operated by the Cougar Helicopters, which offers transportation to and from the three oilfields in production off Newfoundland.

Crews that arrived at Cougar's base at the St. John's airport, were told that transportation to the Hibernia platform has now been suspended.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei