Five people are missing after a US Navy helicopter crashed in the ocean off Southern California during a routine flight from the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, military officials said.
A sixth service member was rescued after the MH-60S helicopter crashed around 4:30pm about 60 nautical miles off San Diego.
Another five aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln were injured during the incident. Two of the sailors had to be flown to shore for hospital treatment, while three had minimal injuries and remained on the ship.
The five aboard the helicopter remain missing.
The crash happened while the aircraft was 'conducting routine flight operations,' according to the Navy. It had been aboard the USS Abraham Lincoln.
An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter takes off from the USS Abraham Lincoln in this May 2019 file photo
The crash on Tuesday afternoon took place some 60 nautical miles off the coast of San Diego, California
The Nimitz class USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier is seen above in San Diego in this file photo
'Search and rescue operations are ongoing with multiple Coast Guard and Navy air and surface assets,' the tweet said.
No other details were immediately available and the condition of the rescued crew member is not yet known.
On Wednesday, retired United States Army four-star general Lloyd James Austin III, commented on the crash during a press conference addressing the war in Afghanistan.
'I know the Navy is working diligently at search and rescue operations. On behalf of the whole department, I want to pass on our thoughts and prayers for the best possible outcome. It is yet another reminder of the dangers our men and women face everyday - overseas and here at home.' Austin said.
The MH-60S is a versatile aircraft that is used in missions including combat support, humanitarian disaster relief and search and rescue.
It has been in use since 2002 and officials with the USS Abraham Lincoln called the crash a 'tragedy'.
The Navy has more than 250 MH-60S helicopters in use and it has a range of almost 250 nautical miles and can reach a top speed of 180 knots.
