Helicopter crashes into Atlantic Ocean near swimmers in Miami Beach

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Two people were hospitalized after a helicopter crashed into the Atlantic Ocean near swimmers at a South Florida beach on Saturday afternoon, authorities said.

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The helicopter, a Robinson R44, crashed in the ocean off Miami Beach, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. Around 1:10 p.m. EST, Miami Beach police and fire rescue were called to a helicopter crash, spokesperson Melissa Berthier told the Miami Herald. Video shared by Miami Beach police showed the helicopter crash landing, making a large splash, into the populated waters near the shores of South Beach, the newspaper reported.

Two people were transported to an area hospital and were in stable condition, WSVN-TV reported. There were three people aboard the helicopter, according to the Miami Beach Police Department.

According to the FAA, the helicopter went down “under unknown circumstances,” WPLG-TV reported.

The National Transportation Safety Board will be handling the investigation, according to WFOR-TV.

Police closed off the area while the investigation was being conducted, the television station reported.

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