Hingham Marine Among 12 Missing Off Hawaii’s Coast

A Coast Guard helicopter crew spotted debris in the water off the town of Haleiwa on the north shore of Oahu but they did not find passengers.

“We’ve seen debris through the entire area”, said Lieutenant Scott Carr, a Coast Guard spokesman.

Neither the Marine Corps base nor the Hawaii Coast Guard will know how the helicopters were lost or even if they indeed crashed until the investigation is complete.

The crash comes less than a year after the Marine Corps’ new hybridized airplane-and-helicopter aircraft crashed during a training exercise, killing two Marines.

There was no immediate word Friday on the fate of those aboard or what caused the accident.

Irish said Friday that each helicopter had a crew of six. The Honolulu mayor’s office says Haleiwa Alii Beach Park is closed and may remain closed for several days as the rescue effort continues. The Coast Guard received notice at 11:38 p.m. local time.

A civilian on a beach who reported the crash to the Coast Guard saw the helicopters flying then disappear amid a fireball.

The CH-53E is a transport helicopter, capable of carrying small armored vehicles, 16 tons of cargo or a team of combat equipped Marines.

The aircraft, which had been on a routine nighttime training mission, did not issue any distress calls.

The debris field spanned more than 7 miles off the coast, the Coast Guard said.

According to De la Cruz, the Marine Corps would not fly next of kin out until a body is recovered, but he fears semolina’s body might not be found. The nonprofit helped to lift the financial burden from his shoulders so he can focus instead on hopefully receiving his son.

“Captain Kevin Roche is a passionate Marine who loves his family and his country – and we love him”, they said.

The family of Capt. Kevin Roche believes he was one of the Marines aboard the helicopters.

National Weather Service meteorologist Derek Wroe said Saturday that the surf peaked Friday afternoon and is slowly declining. “To bring them home safely”, she said.

In 2011, one serviceman was killed and three others were injured when a CH-53D Sea Stallion chopper crashed in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.