12 Die in Great Salt Lake Copter Crash

An Air Force helicopter crashed into the Great Salt Lake during rough weather, killing 12 people, authorities said Friday. The only other person aboard was rescued from the water.

A storm hampered rescue efforts but all 12 bodies were recovered, Hill Air Force Base spokesman Dave Kendziora said.

The MH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter was on a training mission when it went down Thursday night in northern Utah’s inland sea, about 100 yards off the northern tip of Antelope Island and about 15 miles west of the base.

Kendziora said crews in search helicopters spotted debris and bodies in deeper water northwest of the crash site, apparently pushed there by high winds. They were recovered by crews in boats.

One survivor was pulled from the water and was listed in serious condition at the University of Utah Health Sciences Center with cuts on his right leg and over one eye.

The helicopter was assigned to the 1st Special Operations Wing headquartered at Hurlburt Field at Eglin Air Force Base outside Pensacola, Fla., spokesman George Grimes said.

The exercise involved patrols, raids, ambushes and light fire exercises, base spokesman Len Barry said. He said he did not know what role the helicopter was playing.