Belo Horizonte, MG (UOL/Folhapress) – A aeromedical transport helicopter fell into the sea yesterday, near the island of Tsushima, Japan. Three people died, including the patient being transported, according to the Japan Coast Guard.
The Coast Guard was warned that the aircraft had disappeared around 2:50 pm (local time, 2:50 am in Brasilia) yesterday. The helicopter was carrying six people, including a patient, from Tsushima to a hospital in Fukuoka – a trip of approximately 45 minutes, according to The Japan Times.
Shortly thereafter, the authorities found the aircraft floating in the sea. Three people were found alive, in saved lives. They were a nurse, the pilot and a mechanic. They had hypothermia, but conscious, and are hospitalized.
Three, including the patient, died after suffering cardiac arrest. The victims are patient Mitsuko Motoishi, 86, his son Kazuyoshi Motoishi, 68, and doctor Kei Arakawa, 34.
Coast Guard and SGC Saga Aviation, a helicopter company, investigate the causes of the accident. In a statement issued today, the company’s president apologized for the accident and said the Aviation saga is cooperating with the authorities.
Yesterday, a representative of the Aviation saga told the press that no anomaly was found in the helicopter during a recent inspection. He also stated that no one in the crew has health problems that could have interfered on the flight.
The coast guard suspects that the helicopter had to make a forced landing in the water. The pilot and the other survivors will be questioned to determine the cause of the accident.
