A medical rescue helicopter crashed into the sea in southwestern Japan. -AP
A medical transport helicopter carrying a patient has plunged into the sea in southwestern Japan, killing three-of-the six people onboard.
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The Japan coast guard said the pilot, Hiroshi Hamada, 66; Kazuto Yoshitake, a helicopter mechanic and a 28-year-old nurse, Sakura Kunitake, were rescued by the coast guard on Sunday after they were found in the waters clinging to inflatable lifesavers.
The three suffered hypothermia but were conscious, an official with the coast guard told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity in line with regulations.
The bodies of doctor, Kei Arakawa, 34; Mitsuki Motoishi, 86, the patient, and her caretaker Kazuyoshi Motoishi, 68, were later recovered by a Japan Air Self-Defense Force helicopter.
The coast guard deployed two planes and three ships to the area as part of the rescue operation.
The six people were aboard what the Japanese call "a doctor helicopter" on their way to a hospital in Fukuoka from an airport in Nagasaki Prefecture, when it crashed, according to the coast guard.
The cause of the accident remains under investigation
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