Robot retrieves 9 from 'copter wreckage

ST. JOHN'S, Newfoundland, March 16 (UPI) -- A remote-controlled robot retrieved nine bodies Monday from a crashed Canadian helicopter in the Atlantic Ocean east of Newfoundland, police said.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police said the private Atlantic Osprey rescue ship had taken the bodies to the surface after midnight and they were taken to St. John's for autopsies, the Canwest News Service reported.

Sgt. Wayne Newell said an underwater remotely operated vehicle had located and extracted the bodies individually into a basket that was winched up to the ship.

Eight bodies remained in the Sikorsky S-92, which crashed Thursday while its two-man crew shuttled 16 offshore oil platform workers to their jobs.

Transport Safety Board lead investigator Mike Cunningham said it appeared possible to hoist the wreckage from the water but the first goal was to recover the remaining bodies.

One man was rescued alive and was listed in critical but stable condition Monday, the report said.

Investigators' preliminary data indicate the Cougar Helicopters' craft experienced mechanical problems before the pilot radioed in a distress call and ditched, reports said.