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David Scarborough: Mississippi man missing among 4 others as helicopter crashes near Louisiana coast

David Scarborough was on his way home to spend Christmas with his family when the helicopter crashed over the Gulf of Mexico

LIZANA, MISSISSIPPI: The Coast Guard's 8th District officials tweeted that a helicopter leaving an oil rig carrying four workers crashed off the coast of Louisiana on Thursday, December 29. David Scarborough, a 36-year-old man from Mississippi, was one of the crew members on the ill-fated helicopter. Four individuals in the helicopter crash are missing, including David.

The terrifying crash which occurred in the Gulf of Mexico 10 miles off the shore of Plaquemines Parish was attended to on the morning of December 29, according to the United States Coast Guard. Officials from the Coast Guard told Fox8 that while parts of the helicopter have been found, no trace of the individuals on board has been discovered. According to Coast Guard Petty Officer Jose Hernandez, who also spoke to Fox8, the pilot had just picked up three oil employees from a platform operated by Houston-based Walter Oil and Gas when the disaster occurred. Hernandez said there were no reports of storms in the area so weather doesn't seem to have played a part in the incident. The US Coast Guard suspended its hourslong search at 6.15 pm on Thursday, Dec 29, officials said.

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Who is David Scarborough?

Scarborough, 36, is a Lizana resident who works on an oil rig and is the nephew of a WLOX employee. He's spent eight years working offshore. According to reports, he had just finished a two-week shift and was on his way home to spend Christmas with his family, which included his wife Lacy. Sadly, the Harrison County family experienced a tragedy months before Scarborough's went missing. Sawyer, David and Lacy's 2-year-old son had drowned in March.

Scarborough’s wife, Lacy, revealed to The Sun Herald that she is expecting a child and that her husband had recently received a promotion. “He enjoyed his job and his co-workers,” she said. A Lafayette-area-based Island Operating Company employed the 36-year-old husband and father, according to Lacy.  A miracle is what Lacy and her family are pleading for. As authorities look for Scarborough, hundreds of residents of Hancock and Harrison counties are asking the Coast to pray for the family. The search is being coordinated by the Coast Guard's Heartland Division.

The coast guard crew has reportedly searched for about 180 square miles for eight hours, it said in a news release. “It is always a difficult decision to suspend a search,” said Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Keefe, Coast Guard Sector New Orleans Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator.  “Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to the family and friends during this difficult time.”