Two police helicopters from Durban and police divers have been called in to search for a man who went missing after a Portnet helicopter crashed into the sea at the entrance to the Richards Bay Harbour on Saturday morning.
Police spokesperson Captain Rene van der Westhuizen said the two pilots who were in the helicopter were rescued and taken to hospital with suspected spinal injuries and fractures.
"One other person who was in the helicopter is still missing. And it's suspected that he went down with the aircraft.
"We can't see the helicopter it sunk and the water is about 20 to 30 feet deep," said Van der Westhuizen.
She said it appeared as if the accident occurred when the helicopter tried to drop or pick up one of the pilots from a ship and its propeller touched the vessel causing it to crash at about 11.45.
Van der Westhuizen said the fire department as well as the private company who had rescued the two pilots were also assisting in the search.
The names of those who were involved in the helicopter crash had not yet been released.
News 24