Hingham Marine Among 12 Missing Off Hawaii's Coast

Updated January 16, 2016

WBUR Newsroom

A search vessel cruises the waters off the beach at Haleiwa, Hawaii, on Friday. Two Marine helicopters carrying 12 crew members collided off the island of Oahu during a nighttime training mission, and rescuers are searching a debris field in choppy waters, military officials said. (Audrey McAvoy/AP)

This article is more than 7 years old.

A Marine from Hingham is missing after two helicopters collided off the coast of Hawaii Thursday night, Massachusetts State Police told WBUR's Newscast Unit.

Christopher Orlando is believed to be among 12 Marines missing after the crash.

NPR reported Friday that two heavy-life helicopters collided overnight off the coast of Oahu. The helicopters were from the Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadrom 463, part of the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing that is based in Kaneohe Bay.

The Coast Guard is leading the search for the service members. Searchers warned of debris in the water and continued to report challenging weather conditions around 2 p.m. EST Saturday.

Search for 12 Marines off Oahu's North Shore remains active with multiple assets. No significant developments. Weather still a challenge.
— USCG Hawaii Pacific (@USCGHawaiiPac) January 16, 2016

Hingham Selectman Paul Healey told WBUR that the town is ready to support Orlando's family no matter the outcome of the search.

"Our town has centuries of service to the country and that continues," Healey said. "Something we take a great deal of pride in, even in these painful moments such as we're in right now."

Orlando's mother is a retired Massachusetts State Police trooper. A State Police statement asked the media to respect the family's privacy.

With additional reporting by WBUR's Kassandra Sundt

This article was originally published on January 16, 2016.

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