3 Fatalities in Japan Medical Helicopter Crash

Tragedy struck off the coast of southwestern Japan as a medical helicopter crashed into the sea on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of three individuals, the Japan coast guard confirmed on Monday. The helicopter was carrying a total of six people en route to a hospital in Fukuoka city from Tsushima Island in the Nagasaki region when communication was lost. Ryuji Tominaga, the head of the receiving hospital, expressed his profound grief to reporters, describing the accident as “utterly heartbreaking.”
Following the loss of contact, a patrol vessel located the six occupants along with the wreckage of the helicopter several hours later.

The coast guard reported that an 86-year-old patient, her 68-year-old family member, and a 34-year-old doctor were found unresponsive and subsequently declared dead. The remaining three individuals, who were found holding onto the helicopter, were conscious. An official representing the helicopter operator stated on Monday that both the pilot and the mechanic on board were experienced professionals and that the weather conditions at the time of the flight did not appear to be problematic. The national Maritime Safety Committee has initiated a full investigation into the cause of the crash, the official added.

According to a report by the Asahi Shimbun daily, the same helicopter company was involved in a previous fatal incident in July of the previous year, where a helicopter crashed into farmland in the Fukuoka region, claiming the lives of the two people on board.