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By | Tuesday, January 6, 2009

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Search for clues in crash begins

GIBSON | Authorities searched a southern Louisiana marsh by boat Monday for clues that might determine what caused a helicopter crash that killed eight people bound for an offshore oil platform.

The helicopter, operated by PHI Inc., crashed Sunday afternoon shortly after taking off, said Richard Rovinelli, a company spokesman. Two pilots and seven passengers were aboard when the helicopter went down in rural Terrebonne Parish, about 100 miles southwest of New Orleans. The passengers worked for two Shell Oil Co. contractors. The company said the victims were on their way to its Gulf of Mexico platform.

Coast Guard Petty Officer Jaclyn Young said the lone survivor was transported to a medical facility in suburban New Orleans, and was in critical condition Sunday night.

Ted Lopatkiewicz, spokesman for the National Transportation Safety Board, said the helicopter is thought to have crashed about seven minutes after it took off at 3:02 p.m. Mr. Lopatkiewicz said there were scattered clouds and visibility was 10 miles at the time of the crash, and the crew reported no problems before the helicopter went down.

OHIO

Man arrested in a mom's death

DAYTON | A man was arrested in the shooting death of a woman whose 4-year son was abducted and left unharmed at a highway rest area, authorities said Monday.

Charlie W. Myers, 22, was taken into custody on an aggravated murder warrant in the slaying of Jennifer Nelson, the Montgomery County sheriff said Monday.