Two rescued from helicopter crash off coast of Coquina Beach on Anna Maria Island

Multiple agencies responded to reports of a helicopter crash off the coast of Coquina Beach on Anna Maria Island.

Calls began to come in around 12:15 p.m. Saturday, according to the Emergency Communications Center. Randy Warren, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office public information officer, said that no injuries were reported in the crash.

In a sheriff’s office news release, deputies said a recently-licensed, 48-year-old pilot and a 42-year-old co-pilot were taking pictures of boats above the Intercoastal Waterway of Bradenton Beach when the pilot attempted to maneuver in the opposite direction without enough altitude.

“He ended up flying the aircraft into the water nose first,” the release said.

Marine deputies towed the helicopter to the Coquina Boat Ramp. Photos from the scene indicate that the helicopter belonged to Boatpix.com, an aerial photography company.

The Federal Aviation Administration has been notified and will also launch an investigation into the cause of the crash.

This story was originally published April 13, 2019 at 12:57 PM.