Fears grow for Irish cameraman as helicopter goes missing off US coast
search by the US Coastguard was continuing yesterday for the helicopter flown by Seán O’Kane, 35, a single man from Dublin.
It is believed it crashed into the Pacific Ocean about 18 miles north-west of San Diego. No trace of any wreckage has so far been discovered, despite an extensive search.
It is understood Mr O’Kane’s parents, who live in Dublin, have been notified about the accident.
The missing pilot worked as a cameraman for TV station KFMB for the past two years.
“The mood in the newsroom is pretty morose. We fear we may have lost a good friend and a good person,” said KFMB reporter Sara Fielstera. “We just have to keep faith that he will show up.”
Another colleague, Renee Sanchez, said Mr O’Kane was a popular employee at the CBS-affiliated station.
“Seán made getting to work for the early-morning shift a pleasure. He was always in a good mood and ready with an Irish quip. He took care of us reporters. I always felt safe going out on the streets of San Diego at 5am with Seán watching my back,” she said.
Mr O’Kane was making a solo training flight when he went missing. The coastguard found a seat cushion believed to have belonged to the helicopter off the shore of the Californian town of Encinitas.
Mr O’Kane left an airfield in San Diego at around 9.50am local time on Monday. Shortly after taking off, he sought permission from air traffic controllers at a local airport to increase his altitude to avoid low cloud and fog. Minutes later, the helicopter disappeared off radar screens.
