17 Missing In N. Atlantic Helicopter Crash

Crash Atlantic Rescuers Search For 17 Oil Workers Off Coast Of Newfoundland; 1 Person Found..

by Associated Press

Published: Thu, March 12, 2009 - 2:36 pm CST

(AP) Rescuers were scouring an area off the east coast of Newfoundland on Thursday, searching for survivors after a helicopter carrying 18 oil workers and crew experienced mechanical problems and ditched in the Atlantic.

Officials said one person was pulled from the water and taken by helicopter to the Health Sciences Centre in St. John's. There was no word on the person's condition.

Officials said a search continues and they have don't have information on the 17 others, said Rick Burt of Cougar Helicopters, the helicopter operator.

“This is a very difficult time,” Burt said.

Burt said the pilot reported he was having technical malfunctions and said he would attempt to turn back St. John's.

Burt said the helicopter was headed to two offshore oil platforms. He said 14 were destined for the Sea Rose oil platform, two were destined for the Hibernia oil platform and he said there were two crew.

Burt said the helicopter has sunk.

“Two life rafts have been located. However, we don't have any indication that anyone was in the life rafts,” said. Major Denis McGuire of the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre in Halifax.

“We'll continue with the search as best we can,” he added.

The S-92 Sikorsky helicopter went down 55 miles southeast of the provincial capital of St. John's.

Hibernia is located about 200 miles east of St. John's. The Hibernia offshore oil field is owned jointly by ExxonMobil Canada, Chevron Canada Resources, Petro-Canada, Canada Hibernia Holding Corporation, Murphy Oil and StatoilHydro Canada Ltd.

SeaRose is an oil platform located in the White Rose oil and gas field, approximately 217 miles southeast of the coast of Newfoundland. The White Rose field is operated by Husky Energy and Petro-Canada.

Earlier, Jeri Grychowski of the Rescue Coordination Centre in Halifax said a Hercules aircraft and four Cormorant rescue helicopters are on their way to the site along with a coast guard ship and a supply ship.

Grychowski said winds are fairly strong in the area with six- to nine-foot waves.

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