US Coast guard helicopter crashes in Alaska sparking desperate search and rescue

By LAURA PARNABY, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 20:43, 22 June 2026 | Updated: 20:45, 22 June 2026 A US Coast Guard helicopter has crashed over Alaska, sparking an urgent search and rescue mission.  The Arctic branch of the agency issued a statement just after 11am local time stating that first responders were searching an area near Sitka in the south of the state.   'The US Coast Guard is actively responding to a reported crash involving a Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter that occurred today in Sitka, Alaska,' the agency wrote on X.  'First responders and search and rescue assets are currently responding. The safety, well-being, and rescue of our crew members is our absolute, immediate priority.  'The cause of the incident is not yet known. A formal investigation will be conducted to determine the circumstances surrounding the event.' It's unclear what caused the crash and how many people were on board the helicopter.  Sitka is the name of both a city and borough close to the state capital of Juneau.  The borough comprises several islands, including Baranof Island and part of Chichagof Island.  A US Coast Guard helicopter has crashed over Alaska, sparking an urgent search mission. The photograph above shows a US Coast Guard Helicopter in Ketchikan, Alaska, in May 2019 Sitka is the name of both a city and borough close to the the state capital of Juneau The Arctic branch of the agency issued a statement just after 11am local time stating that first responders were searching an area near Sitka in the south of the state Sitka is the name of both a city and borough close to the the state capital of Juneau. The borough comprises several islands, including Baranof Island and part of Chichagof Island This is a breaking news story with updates to follow.  No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.