Three Dead After Medical Helicopter Crashes into Sea in Southwestern Japan

The helicopter was later discovered overturned on the sea surface near Iki Island

Three people have died following the crash of a medical transport helicopter into the sea in southwestern Japan. The incident occurred on Sunday as the aircraft was en route from an airport in Nagasaki Prefecture to a hospital in Fukuoka.

Six individuals were aboard the helicopter, referred to locally as a "doctor helicopter," at the time of the crash. The Japanese coast guard confirmed that the bodies of three people were later recovered: Dr. Kei Arakawa, 34; patient Mitsuki Motoishi, 86; and her caretaker, Kazuyoshi Motoishi, 68. A Japan Air Self-Defense Force helicopter located their bodies in the sea. Although initially found with no vital signs, they were later officially pronounced dead by a physician.

The remaining three occupants—the pilot, mechanic, and a nurse—were rescued earlier in the day. They were identified as pilot Hiroshi Hamada, 66; helicopter mechanic Kazuto Yoshitake; and nurse Sakura Kunitake, 28. The three survivors were discovered clinging to inflatable lifesavers in the water and were taken to hospital suffering from hypothermia. Despite their condition, they were all conscious at the time of rescue.

An official with the coast guard, who requested anonymity in line with agency regulations, confirmed that the rescue operation involved two aircraft and three ships. The official also noted that Yoshitake's first name had initially been reported with an incorrect spelling, which was later corrected.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

Helicopter [Registration “JA555H”] was found floating upside down

In a separate incident on the same day, a helicopter pilot in southeastern South Korea died after his aircraft went down during firefighting operations. The crash occurred as the helicopter was responding to a blaze on a hill in the city of Daegu. The fire was extinguished approximately one hour after it began. Authorities have yet to release the pilot’s identity or determine the cause of the crash.

This incident follows a series of devastating wildfires in southeastern South Korea last month, during which 31 people were killed, including a pilot who died while battling the flames.