7 Marines after 2 helicopters collide during training
YUMA, Ariz. (AP) -- Seven Marines were killed late Wednesday in a collision of two helicopters near Yuma, Ariz., during night training exercises, the Marine Corps said Thursday.
Lt. Maureen Dooley with Miramar Air Base in California said the service members with the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing were based at Camp Pendleton north of San Diego. The crash involved an AH-1W "Cobra" and UH-1 "Huey" helicopter, she said.
The aircraft collided in a remote portion of the Yuma Training Range Complex.
"We're still gathering a lot of details as the sun comes up," Dooley said.
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It will be at least 24 hours before the Marine Corps releases the names of those killed, she said.
Capt. Staci Reidinger, director of public affairs at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma said earlier Thursday that the crash happened west of the Chocolate Mountains in California, though the exact location hasn't been confirmed.
"It's not in a populated area," she said.
(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)