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8 bodies have been found at the site where a U.S. helicopter crashed, according to the Nepali Army
Pilot was Capt. Chris Norgren of Wichita, Kansas, his parents say
The U.S. military helicopter was found on the slopes of a mountain east of Kathmandu
Eight bodies have been found at the site where a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter crashed while on a relief mission in Nepal, the country’s military said Saturday. The bodies reportedly are not recognizable.
The wreckage of the Huey helicopter was found in a rugged area of Gorthali, with parts scattered around at about 11,200 feet, according to the Nepalese Army. They investigating at the site, along with U.S. military personnel.
The helicopter was carrying six U.S. Marines and two Nepali service members when it went down; it was reported missing Tuesday.
The bodies had yet to be removed from crash site as of Saturday afternoon, Nepali army spokesman Jagadish Chandra Pokharel said.
The pilot has been identified as 31-year-old Capt. Chris Norgren of Wichita, Kansas, according to his father, Ron Norgren, who spoke to reporters Friday.
Eight bodies have been found at the site where a U.S. Marine Corps helicopter crashed while on a relief mission in Nepal, the country’s military said Saturday.
“He was a very compassionate and caring person,” his mother, Terri Norgren, told CNN’s Anderson Cooper. “He wanted to help people. That’s the whole reason he went over there. He told me ‘Mom, somebody’s got to do this. And this is what I’m supposed to be doing.’”
“He was a very compassionate and caring person,” his mother, Terri Norgren, told CNN’s Anderson Cooper. “He wanted to help people. That’s the whole reason he went over there. He told me ‘Mom, somebody’s got to do this. And this is what I’m supposed to be doing.’”
“He was doing things he loved,” Ron Norgren added. “He loved to help people and he loved to fly. And he was just incredible.”
Capt. Norgren played football in high school in Wichita and in college at Missouri University of Science and Technology in Rolla, where he graduated with a degree in aerospace engineering and mathematics, according to his father. The 2007 yearbook listed him as freshman defensive lineman at 6-foot-3 and 230 pounds.
While in school, Norgren was an overachiever. “If he got a B or a C, he was upset,” his father said.
After finishing college and officer training school, Norgren spent some time coaching the football team at his high school, Bishop Carroll, in Wichita, according to his family. “They’re still using some of the techniques he learned in officer training school over at Bishop Carroll,” his father said.
Norgren joined the Marines to become a pilot, according to the family. “His passion for flying started at a very early age,” his father said.
“He knew early on what he wanted to do and he did it. Not too many kids at that young age know what they want. He did,” his mother said.
The last time she spoke to her son was on Mother’s Day. “I told him “that’s awesome, I’m glad you’re doing that but please be careful, be safe,” Terri Norgren said.
Marine deaths won’t change U.S. mission
U.S. Defense officials confirmed Friday that the missing helicopter had been located.
Nepal has been devastated by two massive and successive earthquakes: a magnitude-7.8 earthquake on April 25 followed by a magnitude-7.3 on May 12. The combined death toll stands at more than 8,500, according to Laxmi Prasad Dhakal, Nepal’s Home Ministry spokesman. More than 21,000 have been injured, he said.
The discovery of the American chopper follows intensive searches from the air and on foot, amid treacherous terrain.
The U.S. Joint Task Force confirmed the wreckage, 8 miles north of Charikot, was that of the missing UH-1Y Huey helicopter. It has not yet commented on the discovery of bodies.
Four pararescuemen and one combat rescue officer were on the ground, the Joint Task Force statement said. “The assessment of the site is ongoing and a thorough investigation will be conducted,” it said.
The UH-1 Huey helicopter had six U.S. Marines and two Nepali service members aboard when it lost contact Tuesday evening, Pentagon officials said.
Radio transmissions indicated its crew was having some type of fuel problem before it went missing near Charikot, an area roughly 45 miles east of Kathmandu, the capital, the Pentagon has said.
The helicopter was assisting with disaster relief in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake that struck the Himalayan nation on April 25, killing thousands of people. Another strong earthquake hit Nepal on Tuesday afternoon, causing more damage and casualties.
The area where it lost contact is near the epicenter of Tuesday’s magnitude 7.3 earthquake.
About 300 American personnel are on the ground in Nepal helping with earthquake relief efforts.
The death toll from the two earthquakes is now 8,460, Nepal’s Home Ministry said Friday, of which 117 are from Tuesday’s quake.
Another 6,271 people are still receiving medical treatment, of whom 1,700 were injured in the second quake.
Nepal struck by another deadly quake
CNN’s Sugam Pokharel reported from Kathmandu and Sumnima Udas from New Delhi, while Michael Martinez wrote in Los Angeles. Laura Smith-Spark wrote in London. Kimberly Hutcherson wrote in Atlanta. CNN’s Sarita Harilela, Manesh Shrestha, and Ed Payne contributed to this report.