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2 Marine helicopters collide near Oahu, debris spotted in ocean

Posted at 8:20 AM, Jan 15, 2016
and last updated 2016-01-15 12:06:56-05

HONOLULU (AP) – Two Marine helicopters collided off the Oahu coast in Hawaii, and rescuers were looking for the 12 crew members aboard.

Marine Capt. Timothy Irish said Friday that each helicopter had a crew of six from Marine Corps Base Hawaii. He says no other passengers were aboard either aircraft during the nighttime training mission.

Irish said officials spotted a debris area spanning about 2 miles, and the surf was choppy just before daybreak in Hawaii. The helicopters collided about 2 1/2 miles offshore around 11:40 p.m. Thursday.

The Coast Guard is the lead agency for the search. Irish says the Coast Guard has helicopters on scene and is coordinating with some Navy and Air Force aircraft.

A Honolulu Fire Department rescue boat also is searching.