US: Military Helicopter With Five On Board Missing

Rescue teams are searching for a US Marine Corps helicopter that went missing while on a flight to California.

The helicopter, a CH-53E Super Stallion, was “reported overdue” by Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, near San Diego, early on Wednesday.

Five marines were travelling on the helicopter, which was flying from an airbase near Las Vegas.

The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department is helping with the search.

In a statement, the Marine Corps said the missing Marines were assigned to Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361, part of the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing which is headquartered in Miramar.

Fire crews were alerted to the missing aircraft at 02:20 local time on Wednesday (10:20 GMT) and dispatched crews to an area near Lake Morina, California, but were unable to find the helicopter.

Their search efforts were hindered by heavy snow and wintry conditions, officials said. The incident came as the area was experiencing a winter storm that has included heavy rains and several inches of snow in mountainous areas.

BBC