THE wreck of a helicopter is raised from the sea after it crashed in the Bahamas killing a US billionaire, his daughter and five others.
Chris and Kameron Cline and several of her friends all perished on a 2am flight to Florida for a “medical emergency”.
Coal tycoon Cline died a day before his 61st birthday along with his 22-year-old daughter, who need medical treatment, according to reports.
It is not known what the exact nature of the health issue was nor if a mayday was sent before the 17-seat Augusta Westland chopper suddenly plummeted into the sea.
Shocking images have now emerged of the aircraft being lifted out of the water by a crane.
The blades and the tail have both snapped off the fuselage giving a chilling insight into the force of the disaster.
The other victims included Kameron’s close friends Delaney Wykle, Brittney Searson and Jillian Clarke – all aged between 21 and 22.
According to a report quoting Kimberly Searson, her daughter regularly travelled with the Cline family.
Jillian was described as a star volleyball player at Mount Carmel Academy in New Orleans.
The pilot is believed to have been Geoff Painter, who co-owns Cloud 9 Aviation with David Jude, who was also confirmed to have been on board.
The helicopter was on its way to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, but The Register-Herald claims the pilot “made no request or permission to go” before taking off.
Cline – who donated $1million to Donald Trump’s inaugural committee – once dated Tiger Wood’s ex-wife Elin Nordegren.
The US president has posted a tribute ion Twitter to the “great businessman”.
The wreckage was discovered overturned two miles from his private island, according to news station KFSN.
Bahamian officials are investigating the cause of the crash.
Minister of Tourism and Aviation Dionisio D’Aguilar said: “They’re attempting … to first of all go to the helicopter and retrieve any souls that are on board and start the investigation.”
The family of Cline said in a statement to DailyMail.com: “We are all so deeply saddened to announce the deaths of our beloved father Chris and our sister Kameron.
“This loss will be felt by all those who had the privilege of having known them.
“Chris was one of West Virginia’s strongest sons, an American original, full of grit, integrity, intelligence and humour, a testament that our hopes and dreams are achievable when we believe and commit ourselves to action.
“Our sister, Kameron was a bright light to all who knew her, loving, smart, compassionate and full of joy and enthusiasm for life and other people. Their legacy of love and inspiration will live on through all of us.
“We love and miss them dearly but take comfort knowing they are with God now. We ask for prayers and privacy in our time of grieving.”
