S. Korean Helicopter Crashes Into Bridge, 3 Killed

An army helicopter installing a sculpture atop a bridge smashed into the structure and plunged into Seoul's Han River on Tuesday, killing all three soldiers on board.

The CH-47 Chinook transport helicopter was installing a torch-shaped sculpture on the bridge's central tower Tuesday when its rotors hit the sculpture and the tower.

The helicopter snapped in two. One half fell onto the bridge span and burst into flames, while the other half fell into the river.

No other casualties were reported. The bridge had been closed during the installation work.

The dead were identified as pilot Chun Hong-yop, co-pilot Nam In-ho and Sgt. 1st Class Kim Woo-soo.

Army scuba divers were working to recover the wreckage.

The Han River divides Seoul into two parts, and about two dozen bridges cross the river.










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