The Coast Guard has called off its search for a helicopter that crashed near New Orleans, officials said Friday, casting doubt on the possibility of rescuing the four people on board.
A pilot and three oil workers were returning from a platform operated by Houston-based Walter Oil and Gas when the crash occurred in the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday around 8:40 a.m. CST, according to officials.
“Let’s say somebody actually spots a body or lets us know something (new) that will help one of our assets.”
According to Hernandez, a spokesman for the Coast Guard’s 8th District in New Orleans, Walter Oil and Gas will most likely resume their search for the downed vessel.
On Friday, a representative for Walter Oil and Gas could not be reached for comment.
According to officials, the Bell 407 helicopter crashed about 10 miles from the shipping channel Southwest Pass at the mouth of the Mississippi River southeast of New Orleans. The NTSB is looking into it.
Although no bodies were discovered immediately, the Coast Guard released images of debris — several cylindrical yellow objects bobbing in the water — on Thursday.
According to officials, the Coast Guard sent an MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter and a 45-foot Response Boat to search 180 square miles for eight hours.
“It is always a difficult decision to suspend a search,” Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Keefe said in a statement. “Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to the family and friends during this difficult time.”
Officials said the Coast Guard rescued three people two weeks ago after their helicopter crashed while attempting to land on another oil rig near New Orleans. The crash on December 15 occurred about 30 miles south of Terrebonne Bay.
