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Contact photographer JUSTO-M. PRIETO
What: “Salvamento Marítimo (Helisureste)” Agusta Westland AW.139 in a training mission out of LEAM (Almeria Airport, Spain)
Where: In sea 4 nm of Almeria airport
When: Jan 21, 2010
Who: 3 fatalities, one severe injury
Why: The marine search and rescue helicopter fell into the sea off Almería 4 miles from the runway. They were on approach to the airport and returning from aerial maneuvers with Névola (ship). Only one person was rescued, and he was in serious condition. Rescue services included four helicopters, two boats and a tugboat, as well as member of Marine Rescue, Civil Guard.
Those who died were Commander Jose Luis Lopez Alcala, of Granada; copilot Kevin Holmes of New Zealand/Granada; and Iñigo Vallejo Garcia,of Seville.
Suffering from hypothermia, rescued craneman Alberto Elvira Vallejo was taken to Torrecárdenas Hospital.