Five Marines dead after helicopter crash in Iraq: officials

WASHINGTON (AFP) May 20, 2003
Four Marines were killed in Iraq when their CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter crashed in a canal near the city of Karbala and a fifth marine drowned trying to rescue them, the US Central Command confirmed Tuesday.

The transport helicopter crashed shortly Monday after takeoff in the Shat Al Hillah Canal near the city of Al Hillah south of Baghdad, the command said.

"The helicopter and crew of four went down shortly before 4:00 pm, while conducting a re-supply mission in support of civil military operations," the command said.

"No survivors have been found," it said.

"Two Marines on the bank of the canal entered the water and one drowned attempting a rescue of the crewmembers," it said.

Marines secured the area and dive teams were enroute to the site, according to the command, which said the cause of the crash was under investigation.

Pentagon officials said there was no indication that hostile fire was responsible.

WAR.WIRE