Helicopter crash kills three state workers, pilot

A helicopter carrying three state workers and a pilot crashed in the North Slope region of Alaska on Thursday, leaving no survivors.

Division of Geological and Geophysical Survey employees had been conducting fieldwork in the vicinity of Utqiaġvik. They did not check in on Thursday night, prompting the investigation.

Investigators found helicopter debris that matched the chopper's description in a lake near the crash site.

Maritime Helicopters, Inc. operated the helicopter that carried the state workers and confirmed the crash.

The fatalities were later identified by The North Slope Borough Police Department as North Pole pilot Bernard “Tony” Higdon, 48; Fairbanks resident Ronald Daanen, 51; Fairbanks resident Justin Germann, 27; and South Bend, Indiana resident Tori Moore, 26.

"The entire Maritime family is deeply saddened by this tragedy and ask that you keep your thoughts and prayers for the families' losses," the company said.