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Search and rescue crews have found a US Marine Corps helicopter that crashed on its route between the Las Vegas area and the Miramar Air Station near San Diego.
Responders to the crash site are still searching for the five Marines who were traveling on the helicopter.
The helicopter was located near the Cleveland National Forest in San Diego’s East County.
Firefighters and ambulances are attempting to reach the site, but muddy and steep terrain are making it difficult to get emergency vehicles to the location of the crash. Cal Fire San Diego noted in a post on social media that it was snowing in the area where the helicopter went down.
A severe storm, powered by an atmospheric river, has been thrashing California, and brought major flooding to the southern part of the state.
The CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter was reported “overdue” after it failed to arrive at Miramar on Tuesday night.
The USMC asked for assistance from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department and the Civil Air Patrol to search the region. A civil search group reportedly discovered the crash site just after 9am local time.
The San Diego Sherrif’s Office, Cal Fire San Diego, Border Patrol and the California Civil Air Patrol are searching the site. Drones are also being used to survey the area.
No further information detailing the condition of the crash or the possible location of the missing Marines is available at this time.
The 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing, which is managing the search and rescue operation, said it will provide further details when available.
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office said it received a call to assist at around 1:50am on Wednesday, and dispatched a helicopter to the search area.
However, the helicopter was not able to reach the search zone due to the atmospheric river-powered storm in the area.
