Wreckage of crashed helicopter found in East China Sea

Source: Xinhua | 04-13-2009 08:38

SHANGHAI, April 12 (Xinhua) -- Chinese rescuers have found the wreckage of a helicopter from China's Antarctic exploration ship, Xuelong, which crashed in the East China Sea off Shanghai Sunday.

The wreckage was found almost a nautical mile from the crash site at about 8:20 p.m., said Sun Fumin, director of the East China Sea Rescue Bureau of the Ministry of Transport.

The rescuers were working out the salvage plan, Sun said, adding the search for the missing mechanic was continuing.

Four crew members, all men, were aboard the helicopter when it crashed near the estuary of the Yangtze River at about 11:20 a.m., said a spokesman for the China Marine Search and Rescue Center.

Three were rescued and rushed to hospital, the spokesman said.

"One man is in serious condition and the other two are stable," Zhang Guotong, president of the Shanghai Municipal No. 7 People's Hospital, told Xinhua.

More than 10 rescue boats were involved in the search for the missing mechanic, Yang Yongchang, and the helicopter, Sun said.