Bodies found near wreckage of Marine helicopter in Nepal
May 14, 2015, 7:15 PM | Updated: May 15, 2015, 9:10 am
PHOENIX — Reports say a Marine from Phoenix was one of eight military personnel who were on the helicopter that went missing during an aid mission in Nepal this week.
Lance Cpl. Jacob Hug of Phoenix was believed to have been aboard. Hug attended Barry Goldwater High School.
Lance Cpl. Jacob Hug. (Screenshot)
The helicopter, which had been delivering aid to earthquake victims Tuesday, was found in a mountainous area of the country.
“It is unlikely there are any survivors at this time,” U.S. Marine Lt. Gen. John Wissler said Friday. He also said he was unable to confirm identities of the bodies.
BREAKING: Nepal's defense secretary says rescue team found 3 bodies near crashed U.S. Marine helicopter
— The Associated Press (@AP) May 15, 2015
BREAKING: Nepal Army reports US Marines Venom found in Nunthali north of Kalinchok in Dolakha. #NepalQuake
— Kunda Dixit (@kundadixit) May 15, 2015
No survivors reported, RAN47 trying to land on steep terrain
— Kunda Dixit (@kundadixit) May 15, 2015
High terrain where wreckage of @USMC Venom found Friday
Mt Gauri Shanker (Chomo Tseringma) in background pic.twitter.com/dUjKCT4Pz1
— Kunda Dixit (@kundadixit) May 15, 2015
Hug, 22, was said to have been sent to Nepal from his home base in Okinawa, Japan and was aboard the helicopter working as a videographer. He was one of six other Marines and two Nepalese Marines aboard.
U.S. Army Col. Steve Warren said an Indian helicopter in the air nearby heard radio chatter from the Marine aircraft about a possible fuel problem.
He said the Huey, carrying tarps and rice, had dropped off supplies to one location and was en route to a second site when contact was lost.
Navy Capt. Chris Sims said the Huey was conducting disaster relief operations near Charikot, Nepal, on Tuesday, around 9 a.m. EDT.
The aircraft is part of Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 469.
There are about 300 U.S. troops in Nepal assisting with the rescue mission, using a variety of aircraft including three Hueys, four Ospreys and several cargo planes.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
