3 Californians Die in Helicopter Crash Off Astoria

Coast Guard pilots reported the on-scene weather as foggy with overcast skies and low visibility.

Robinson R-44 was similar to this aircraft Photo courtesy: jetphotos.net

(ASTORIA) - U.S. Coast Guard Group Astoria recovered the bodies of two men and one woman from the waters near Camp Rilea on the north Oregon coast Sunday shortly after 8:00 AM.

Group Astoria received a call from a helicopter pilot stating that he had lost contact with another helicopter due to land in Astoria.

An HH-60 helicopter and a 47-foot motor lifeboat were dispatched to the scene where the wreckage of the Robinson R-44 helicopter and the bodies of its passengers were found.

A second helicopter accompanying the first was flying nearby and was not involved in the crash.

The victims are from southern California.

Identification of the deceased is being withheld pending identification by the Clatsop County Medical Examiner and notification of next of kin.

An investigation is being conducted by the Oregon State Police and Warrenton Police Department under the supervision of the Clatsop County Medical Examiner.

The National Transportation Safety Board has been notified and is conducting its own investigation.

The Coast Guard asks that anybody finding debris from the crash should immediately notify local law enforcement.