Helicopter Crashes off Crowded Miami Beach, 3 Injured (Video)

A helicopter with three passengers crashed into the Atlantic Ocean close to swimmers in Miami Beach, Florida, on Saturday.

Officials revealed that the crash took place around 1:10 p.m., a few feet away from swimmers in a crowded stretch popular with tourists.

A video shared by police captured the helicopter descending over the ocean and crashing into the water as sunbathers crowded the beach and others swam.

https://twitter.com/MiamiBeachPD/status/1495118271498145796?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1495118271498145796%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theguardian.com%2Fus-news%2F2022%2Ffeb%2F19%2Fhelicopter-crashes-into-sea-miami-beach

The pilot is said to be in stable condition and is "doing OK," a spokesperson told NBC News, adding that the two passengers were in the backseat and have broken backs. Fortunately, all three were taken to the hospital in stable condition.

Miami Beach police said on Twitter they received a call about the crash, which happened off South Beach, affirming that the Federal Aviation Administration was responding to the scene.

Accordingly, the police closed off a two-block stretch of the beach, in the area where tourists frequent outdoor cafes, restaurants and shops.