SAN DIEGO (AP) - The Latest on a deadly Marine helicopter crash in the California desert. (all times local):
3:20p.m.
Military officials say the four crew members killed when a Marine helicopter crashed during a training mission in Southern California were all Marines.
The Miramar air station in San Diego says the crew had taken off from a ground-combat center in the city of Twentynine Palms on Tuesday to practice helicopter landings in “unimproved zones.”
The CH-53E Super Stallion crashed about 100 miles (160 kilometers) to the south in a remote desert area just outside of El Centro, near the U.S.-Mexico border.
The helicopter was assigned to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing out of the Miramar air station in San Diego.
The cause of the crash is under investigation. The Marines haven’t been identified but the air station is expected to release their names later Wednesday.
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1:20 p.m.
President Donald Trump has sent his condolences to the families of four crew members killed when a Marine helicopter crashed during a training mission in Southern California.
The president tweeted Wednesday that his thoughts and prayers were with those who lost their lives.
He added, “We pray for their families” and the U.S. Marine Corps.
The CH-53E Super Stallion crashed Tuesday in a desert area just outside El Centro, near the U.S.-Mexico border. It was a warm, clear day.
The helicopter was assigned to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing out of the Miramar air station in San Diego.
The cause of the crash is under investigation. The crew members haven’t been identified.
The Imperial Valley Sheriff’s Office says the crew members have been recovered and taken to the coroner’s facility.
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10:30 a.m.
Officials say the bodies of four crew members killed when a Marine helicopter crashed during a training mission in Southern California have been removed from the crash site.
Deputy Coroner Derrick Lindberg with the Imperial Valley Sheriff’s Office said Wednesday that the crew members were recovered late Tuesday and taken to the coroner’s facility.
He says the Marine Corps will take custody of the bodies to conduct autopsies.
The CH-53E Super Stallion crashed Tuesday in a desert area just outside El Centro, near the U.S.-Mexico border. It was a warm, clear day.
The helicopter was assigned to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing out of the Miramar air station in San Diego.
The cause of the crash is under investigation. The crew members haven’t been identified.
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11:30 p.m.
A Marine helicopter has crashed during a Southern California training mission and authorities believe all four crew members were killed.
The military says the CH-53E Super Stallion went down shortly after 2:30 p.m. Tuesday near El Centro.
The helicopter was with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing out of the Miramar air station near San Diego.
The cause of the crash is under investigation.
Authorities aren’t releasing the names of the victims or their home towns.
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