Helicopter with five aboard crashes into Naknek River, one dies

The National Transportation and Safety Board is investigating the crash of a Bell 206B helicopter near King Salmon.

On Saturday morning, Alaska State Troopers were notified that the helicopter carrying five peopled crashed into the Naknek River. The crash occurred between 9:15 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., not long after the helicopter departed the King Salmon Airport. Emergency personnel and good Samaritans were able to get all the occupants of the aircraft out of the water prior to Troopers and Alaska Wildlife Troopers arriving on the scene.

One passenger, Martin Delaureal, 73, of Metairie, Louisiana was killed in the accident. Next-of-kin has been notified. NTSB was alerted and is responding. The helicopter remains in the river as of Saturday night, pending getting equipment to the site so it can be removed, at which point the NTSB will continue its investigation into the crash.

Footage from the Naknek River camera operated by the U.S. Park Service shows that conditions may have been foggy in the morning.