1 dead after helicopter crashes in water near Miami while filming boats: Authorities
The pilot died and two passengers were injured, authorities said.
One person is dead and two others were critically injured after a helicopter crashed into the water near Miami on Wednesday while filming boats, according to authorities.
Three people were on board the helicopter, which crashed into Biscayne Bay, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.
Rescue personnel who responded to a "mayday" call found a good Samaritan providing life-saving efforts to a man who ultimately died at the scene, Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz said during a press briefing on Wednesday.
The sheriff's office identified the deceased victim Thursday as the pilot, 63-year-old Tomas Pendas.
Two other men were located in the water and transported from the scene to a hospital, authorities said. The passengers -- ages 52 and 27 -- sustained minor injuries and have since been released from the hospital, the sheriff's office said Thursday.
The Robinson R44 crashed around 11:15 a.m. ET in the water east of the Miami Executive Airport, according to the Federal Aviation Administration.
"Preliminary information indicates it was a photography flight," the National Transportation Safety Board said.
They were in the process of filming boats on the water when the chartered helicopter crashed, according to Cordero-Stutz. The cause of the crash is unknown at this time, she said.
The FAA and NTSB are investigating.
The sheriff's office said Thursday it would like to speak to the good Samaritan "to thank them for their swift actions and lifesaving efforts."
Multiple agencies responded, including the Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations and Miami-Dade Fire Rescue.
Miami Executive Airport is located about 20 miles southwest of downtown Miami.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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