In a devastating incident, Alaskan officials have confirmed that all four individuals aboard a helicopter that crashed into a remote lake near Utqiaġvik have lost their lives.
The state Department of Natural Resources has identified the victims as Ronnie Daanen, Justin Germann, Tori Moore, and pilot Tony Higdon. Unfortunately, specific ages were not provided.
The crash occurred around 7 p.m. on Thursday, approximately 51 miles south-southwest of Utqiaġvik, a city that proudly holds the title of being the northernmost in the U.S., formerly known as Barrow.
According to the Department of Natural Resources, the three state employees were geological survey workers who were conducting field research from the air when the helicopter tragically went down in a large, shallow lake. After days of searching, their remains were finally located and recovered.
The National Weather Service reported that fog was the prevailing weather condition in the region at the time of the crash, which could have contributed to the tragic accident.
The helicopter involved in the crash was a Bell 206L-4 operated by Maritime Helicopters in Homer. At present, the National Transportation Safety Board is diligently investigating the cause of the crash.
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In the wake of this heart-wrenching incident, the Department of Natural Resources expressed their sorrow and offered support to the families of the deceased, as well as their team members, during this difficult period. They also emphasized their commitment to cooperating with other agencies to thoroughly understand the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
