A helicopter crash in Miami on Wednesday morning has left one person dead and two others injured.
Authorities including the US Coast Guard responded to the crash at approximately 11.30am on Wednesday. According to the USCG, the helicopter – a Robinson R44 II – was carrying three people on board and crashed in the waters of Biscayne Bay, east of Miami executive airport.
“1 person is reported deceased & 2 people were transported by EMS to a higher level of care,” the USCG said.
The Miami-Dade sheriff’s office also confirmed the crash, saying: “@MiamiDadeFire, @CityofMiamiFire, and Key Biscayne Fire Rescue responded to the scene as part of a coordinated emergency response. Three individuals were involved in the incident, and emergency personnel worked together to provide assistance.”
It added that the investigation is ongoing.
According to Miami-Dade fire rescue, two adult patients with traumatic injuries were transported by ground rescue units from Miami fire rescue and Key Biscayne fire rescue to a designated landing zone, where MDFR air rescue flew them to the main trauma center.
Aerial footage shared online showed the helicopter submerged upside down in the water, with its yellow emergency floats still attached.
The National Transportation Safety Board said that it is investigating the crash.
The Guardian has reached out to the Federal Aviation Administration for additional comment.
The crash came just days after a business jet carrying nine people crashed in Greenacres, in Florida’s Palm Beach county, on Sunday, killing everyone on board. Shortly before the crash, the crew reported accumulating ice, turbulence and precipitation before declaring a Mayday. As the aircraft rapidly lost altitude, the pilot warned air traffic control that the jet was in an overspeed condition before nose-diving into the ground.
