Coast Guard suspends search for 2 on downed helicopter off Molokai
The Coast Guard this evening suspended the search for two men whose helicopter went down off the northwest coast of Molokai Monday evening.
“Making the decision to suspend a search and rescue case is incredibly difficult and is done only when we have exhausted all possible search efforts,” Lt. Christopher Sena, command duty officer at the Coast Guard Joint Rescue Coordination Command Center in Honolulu, said in a press release.
“We extend our deepest condolences to the family and friends of the young men,” he said.
Advanced student Jeremy Dossetter, 27, and instructor Oliver Kirsch, 25, of Mauna Loa Helicopters remain missing.
Responders from the Navy, Maui County Fire Department, Honolulu Fire Department and Mauna Loa Helicopters conducted 53 separate searches over 19,300 square miles.
The helicopter was reported to be on a day trip to Molokai and was heading back to Honolulu when the incident occurred, authorities said.
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