The 11 troops aboard a National Guard helicopter are presumed dead after the aircraft crashed during night-time exercises on the Florida coast, the Associated Press reported on Wednesday morning. The names of the 7 marines and 4 soldiers involved in the crash have not been released.
According to reports the UH-60 Black Hawk was reported missing at 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Officials said thick fog and overcast skies impeded the search. However, human remains and helicopter debris were found early on Wednesday.
“We have confirmed that we have had some human remains wash ashore in the area where our search and rescue team have begun a larger scale operation,” said Eglin Air Force Base spokesman Andy Bourland.
Though accidental deaths have been reduced by half since the 1980s, they are still one of the highest killers of servicemen and women. In 2010, 424 members of the military died in accidents, while 456 were killed in battle, according congressional reports. Illness and suicide are also major causes of servicemember deaths, both causing over 200 deaths in 2010.
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