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.
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.