The U.S. Coast Guard is responding to a report of a collision involving two military helicopters in Hawaii.
ABC News reported that Chief Petty Officer Fara Mooers said that the crash was reported off the north shore of Oahu and that the Coast Guard was responding to the incident. A search as begun for 12 individuals, six from each helicopter, in an area off the coast of Haleiwa.
None of the individuals have yet been located. The Marine Corps confirmed Friday morning that there was an ongoing search for two CH-53 helicopters off the coast of Oahu. The Marine Corps also said that the aircraft belong to the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing from Marine Corps Base Hawaii.
The aircraft are from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 463, Marine Aircraft Group 24, 1st MAW in Hawaii. pic.twitter.com/Gn4VmXOIgM
— U.S. Marines (@USMC) January 15, 2016
The Marine Corps Air Station called the Coast Guard for assistance at 11:38 p.m. local time Thursday night. In addition to an MH65 helicopter and an HC130 Coast Guard airplane sent from Oahu, a Navy helicopter crew and the Honolulu Fire Department are also helping assist the effort.
This post will be updated as further information becomes available.