A helicopter crashed in the waters off Miami on Wednesday, killing at least one person and seriously injuring two others, officials confirmed.
The small helicopter went down near Nixon Beach, off Key Biscayne, Florida, shortly after 11 a.m., WSVN reported.
The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said the crash occurred near Bill Baggs State Park.
The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed that one of the three people aboard the helicopter died, while the other two were taken to a trauma center, according to The Associated Press.
Miami-Dade Fire Rescue crews responded to the scene, where two people were rescued from the water, the report said.
TWO HELICOPTERS COLLIDE NEAR MOUNT EVEREST DURING RESCUE FLIGHT, KILLING ONE, INJURING OTHERS
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) said preliminary information indicated the Robinson R44 II helicopter appeared to have been conducting a photography flight when it crashed.
“A total of three patients were reported,” authorities said, according to NBC Miami. “Two adult trauma alert patients were transported by ground rescue units from the City of Miami Fire Rescue and Key Biscayne Fire Rescue to a designated landing zone, where MDFR Air Rescue transported them to the main trauma center.”
Aerial footage from the scene showed the helicopter’s yellow emergency floats in the water near a Miami-Dade Fire Rescue boat off the 1200 block of Crandon Boulevard.
Divers were also seen in the water near the wreckage.
Officials did not immediately identify the three people aboard the helicopter.
The cause of the crash remains under investigation.
This is a developing news story; check back for updates.
