US military helicopter crashes in Virginia: 2 dead, 1 missing, 2 rescued

A U.S. Navy helicopter crashed off the coast of Norfolk, Virginia on Wednesday, with two dead, one missing, and two rescued.

The U.S. Coast Guard responded to reports of a downed aircraft at approximately 11:00 a.m. EST.

The Navy used its official Twitter account to announce the crash and provide updates on search and rescue efforts. Around 12 p.m. EST, the Navy tweeted that an aircraft had crashed off the coast of Norfolk.

An hour later, the Navy issued updates and a correction that the downed aircraft was a MH-53E Sea Dragon.

The Commander of Naval Air Force Atlantic announced in a press release on Wednesday that the search for the missing crew member was ongoing as the three rescued crew members were taken to Sentara Norfolk General Hospital to be evaluated. There was no information regarding their conditions.

The Navy helicopter crash comes within twenty four hours of a U.S. Air Force helicopter crash on the coast of Norfolk in England on Tuesday that killed four Air Force personnel.

[BBC] [U.S. Navy] [UPI]