U.S. Coast Guard suspends search for four after Gulf of Mexico helicopter crash

The U.S. Coast Guard suspended a search for four missing people who were on board a helicopter that crashed into the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday morning, according to officials. 

The helicopter was departing from an oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico when it crashed about 20 miles off the coast of Southwest Pass, Louisiana, at around 8:40 a.m.

#BreakingNews @USCG searching for 4 people aboard a downed helicopter in the Gulf of Mexico approximately 10 miles offshore Southwest Pass, LA. The helicopter reportedly was in the process of departing an oil platform when it crashed.

More information to follow. pic.twitter.com/UZKxcErSEe

— USCG Heartland (@USCGHeartland) December 29, 2022

The Coast Guard’s boat crew and MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter searched approximately 180 square miles for eight hours. However, they were unsuccessful, locating only debris but no survivors. The search was called off at 6:15 a.m. 

"It is always a difficult decision to suspend a search," Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Keefe, Coast Guard Sector New Orleans Search and Rescue Mission Coordinator, said in a statement. "Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to the family and friends during this difficult time."

The search is suspended "unless new information becomes available that will help us with our search efforts," Petty Officer Jose Hernandez told Fox News. 

The helicopter belonged to Rotorcraft Leasing Company, the "largest privately-held helicopter operator in the Gulf of Mexico." 

The cause of the accident is under investigation by the National Transportation agency. 

Three of the missing people were identified as oil platform workers, the fourth was the helicopter’s pilot. 

This is a developing story.