Pacific search and rescue mission was called off
“I’ve reached the conclusion that hope is no longer viable,” Coast Guard Rear Adm. Joseph Castillo said Sunday. “We no longer believe there is any chance somebody could still be alive.” Authorities have decided to ends the search and rescue mission for missing after midair collision.
There are 9 soliders who may have plunged into the Pacific Ocean off southern California after a Coast Guard C-130 plane and a Marine AH-1 Cobra helicopter collided Thursday night.
California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger offered his condolences to family members of the missing Sunday.
Searchers had scoured the ocean for 60 hours without finding any sign of survivors. They reported Saturday that the search had covered 644 square miles. The Navy, Marine Corps and Customs Border Protection helped in the search.