In the afternoon of January 27th, a Robinson R44 Astro with four occupants crashed in the ice cold water of Oslofjorden near Horten, Norway.
According to the Norwegian newspaper VG.no the helicopter was in formation with another helicopter on their way back to Oslo on a taxi flight from Tønsberg when the accident occurred. A distress message was sent to Rygge airport prior to the crash VG says.
Many people became witness to the accident. The helicopter hit the water not more than 150 meters from land one witness said.
A large search and rescue team have been searching with both divers and mini submarines during the evening. Due to weather the SAR helicopter has difficulties to fly in the area police said. Photos from the crash site reveal that the weather was poor with heavy fog.
The crashed occurred at approximately 14:30 local time. At 19:15 no survivors nor the wreckage had been found.
Update: At 21:30 divers found the wreckage with the four persons inside. The police hope to salvage the helicopter during the night.