Funviralpark BILOXI, Michigan (WLOX) – Authorities have called off rescue efforts for survivors of a helicopter crash about 10 miles off the coast of Louisiana. Among his four on board was a man from Southern Mississippi.
36-year-old David Scarborough is a Lizana oil rig worker and nephew of a WLOX staffer. He has been working offshore for his eight years. He had just finished his two-week shift and was allegedly on his way home to celebrate Christmas with his family, including his pregnant wife Lacey.
This was already a bittersweet time for the family: back in March, the couple lost their infant son, Sawyer, to an accidental drowning.
Thursday morning’s crash occurred around 8:40 a.m. as it departed the oil platform. Witnesses said they saw the aircraft crash into the helicopter’s pad and then tumble into the water.
Members of the U.S. Coast Guard spent hours searching for the pilot and three rig workers on board. Shortly before 5pm they called off the search and rescue mission. Family members were told the oil drilling company will begin its own recovery operations on Friday.
Coast Guard Petty Officer Jose Hernandez said Rotorcraft Leasing Company owns the helicopter. The platform is owned by Walter Oil and Gas, a Houston-based company.
Hernandez said the weather did not appear to be a factor in the crash, as there were no reports of storms in the area on Thursday.
Two weeks ago, the Coast Guard rescued three people after a helicopter crashed off the coast of Louisiana while trying to land on an oil rig platform. The collision occurred on December 15 south of Terrebon Bay, about 60 miles (96.56 kilometers) west of the area the Coast Guard was searching Thursday.
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We will update this story when we know more.
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