Sunday, 17 January 2016

Laser affects search for 12 missing Marines off Hawaii

HONOLULU (AP) — The latest in the crash of two Marine helicopters off Hawaii (all times local):
8:30 a.m.

The Coast Guard says crew members looking for 12 Marines missing after two helicopters crashed off Hawaii had to alter their search patterns because of a laser.

The Coast Guard says a green laser off Haleiwa Beach Park struck an aircraft searching for the Marines on Saturday night. Crew members weren't exposed to the laser and didn't need to land, but they changed their search patterns to avoid being struck again.

Coast Guard spokeswoman Tara Molle says lasers can be life-threatening for crew members flying at night. She says it can cause a temporary loss of night vision. Two helicopters each carrying six Marines went down off Oahu's north shore late Thursday.

Molle says there's no intention as of Sunday morning to call off or suspend the search.

7:30 a.m.

Large waves persist as search and rescue efforts are underway for 12 Marines missing after two helicopters crashed off the Hawaiian island of Oahu. The National Weather Service says a high surf warning for the north and west shores of Oahu is extended until noon Sunday. The surf is expected to subside to advisory levels in the afternoon.

Two helicopters each carrying six Marines went down off Oahu's north shore late Thursday. The Coast Guard says the search area was expanded Saturday to include waters off the west coast of the island.

Honolulu lifeguards on rescue water crafts are expected to resume helping with the search at about 8:30 a.m.

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