Chilling video shows helicopter with 3 people onboard crashing off Miami Beach
A helicopter crash happened in Miami's South Beach on Saturday afternoon, February 19, leaving at least 2 people gravely injured and hospitalized. Shocking video footage of the accident has surfaced which shows the chopper spiraling from the sky before crashing into the ocean, amid hundreds of swimmers. It is believed that in total three people were on board the chopper.
Miami Beach Police has released the footage on social media, informing, "This afternoon at 1:10 p.m., MBPD received a call of a helicopter crash in the ocean near 10 Street. Police and @MiamiBeachFire responded to the scene along with several partner agencies. Two occupants have been transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital in stable condition." Onlookers are dubbing it a miracle as no one was killed in the horrifying crash that left the helicopter in ruins.
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Miami Beach Police further noted, "The beach area between 9 to 11 Street is currently closed. The FAA is responding to the scene...Additional Information: There were three passengers onboard. Two were transported to the hospital."
This afternoon at 1:10 p.m., MBPD received a call of a helicopter crash in the ocean near 10 Street. Police and @MiamiBeachFire responded to the scene along with several partner agencies. Two occupants have been transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital in stable condition.
— Miami Beach Police (@MiamiBeachPD) February 19, 2022
1/2 pic.twitter.com/heSIqnQtle
In the now-viral video footage, the chopper can be seen appearing in the sky, before heading downwards into the ocean. The helicopter crashed at a place dangerously close to the shore, posing a life risk to many. Before it crash-landed, swimmers moved out of the impact area to save themselves.
Local police responded fast to the scene as they rode out in jet skis to inspect the crash. Boats went out later to rescue the injured passengers. So far, it has been found that the injured passengers are currently in stable condition. Meanwhile, police are probing to find their identities as well as know more details about the chopper — whether it was a private or commercial vehicle.
"A Robinson R44 helicopter crashed in the Atlantic Ocean near Miami Beach, Fla., under unknown circumstances at approximately 1:20 PM local time today. Three persons were onboard. The FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board will investigate. The NTSB will be in charge of the investigation and will provide additional updates," the FAA informed TMZ in a statement.
