1 Dead, 3 Missing After Firefighting Helicopter Crashes Near Central Florida Airport

LEESBURG, Fla. (CBSMiami/AP) — At least one person is dead Tuesday night after a firefighting helicopter with four people on board crashed near a Central Florida airport.

The helicopter crashed into a marsh near Leesburg International Airport during a training exercise around 4 p.m., the Federal Aviation Administration said in a news release.

One body was recovered Tuesday night and no survivors had been found, Leesburg Fire Rescue said in a Facebook post.

"The crash appears to be a total loss," the post said.

Hours after the crash, rescue crews were still trying to get to the wreckage to see if there were any survivors, Leesburg police Lt. Joe Iozzi said, according to the Orlando Sentinel.

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board will investigate. Officials did not immediately release additional information.

(© Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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