Four people are dead following a civilian helicopter crash in the Mediterranean Sea off the Sironit (Mermaid) Beach in Netanya. The crash occured around mid-afternoon Tuesday,
Traveling in the helicopter were three British tourists, and the pilot. All four were killed when the aircraft crashed into the sea after taking off from Sde Dov Airport and heading toward the north.
The reasons for the crash remain unclear at present. Two sea-bike riders who were on the scene at the time witnessed the crash; they managed to locate two bodies and pull them to shore, lifeless.
Maritime police rescue teams arrived shortly thereafter, as did officers from Sharon Regional police, ZAKA divers and first responders from the Magen David Adom emergency medical service and other volunteers.
A search was quickly organized for more casualties in the accident, and about an hour later, a ship from the Tel Aviv Police naval division found two more bodies.
There are no details at present as to what type of helicopter was being flown, nor have the victims been identified as yet.