Three dead in U.S. Navy helicopter crash

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- Three U.S. Navy personnel were killed and a fourth critically injured when a helicopter crashed and burned near Corpus Christi, Texas.

Lt. Sean Robertson with Naval Air Station Corpus Christi said an MH-53 Sea Dragon helicopter crashed in a field about 4 miles south of the city around 8:15 p.m. Wednesday, the Corpus Christi Caller-Times reported.

The helicopter was on a training mission, Robertson said.

Ed Mackley, public affairs officer for the Naval Mine and Anti-Submarine Warfare Command, told CNN it was around 2:30 a.m. before rescuers retrieved three bodies and a fourth man was rushed to a hospital in critical condition.

The Caller-Times said stormy weather conditions and downed power lines hindered rescue attempts.

Robertson said two Navy investigations were initiated into the crash.