Two bodies found near helicopter crash in Gulf of Mexico

Two bodies found near helicopter crash site in Gulf of Mexico

A dive team assisting the U.S. Coast Guard with the search for two people on board a helicopter that went down in the Gulf found two bodies this morning.

A U.S. Coast Guard spokesman said he cannot confirm yet whether the bodies are the two missing from the helicopter crash. The search began yesterday after a helicopter crashed in the South Timbalier Block 317 area of the Gulf of Mexico, about 60 miles south of Terrebonne Parish.

Oil rig workers who reported the crash said they deployed a life raft, but the chopper sank before the life raft could get there.

The dive team was on board the Adam Challenger vessel, one of several good samaritan boats that was helping the U.S. Coast Guard in its search. Divers found the bodies between 5 a.m. and 6 a.m.

Westwind Helicopters, the owner of the helicopter, has not responded to requests for comment.