One person was killed and 2 others were injured after a helicopter crashed into Biscayne Bay near Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park in Florida on Wednesday morning.
The crash was reported at approximately 11:26 a.m. near the state park, according to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office. Three people were aboard the aircraft when it went down.
Key Biscayne Fire Rescue, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and Miami Fire Rescue crews responded to the scene as part of a coordinated emergency operation. One person was pronounced dead, while the 2 survivors were transported by air rescue to Ryder Trauma Center for treatment, Key Biscayne Fire Chief Joe Fernandez said.
Rescue crews brought the occupants to shore, with a county fireboat transporting 2 of the patients to No Name Harbor. Emergency personnel also established a staging area inside the state park near Boater’s Grill.
Video from the scene showed the helicopter floating upside down in the water, with yellow flotation devices visible nearby.
Flight-tracking data from Flightradar24 appeared to show a privately registered helicopter looping back around the Nixon Beach area shortly before the crash.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office confirmed it is investigating the incident. The identities of those aboard, the helicopter’s origin and the circumstances leading up to the crash have not yet been released.
The U.S. Coast Guard said it also responded alongside partner agencies and confirmed that 1 person died while 2 others were taken to a higher level of medical care.