LIMA, Peru — Five U.S. citizens are among seven people killed in the crash of a U.S.-owned cargo helicopter in the Peruvian jungle.
Peruvian authorities say the heavy-lift chopper crashed Monday after taking off from the provincial capital of Pucallpa.
It was owned by Columbia Helicopters of Portland.
The company’s executive vice president Peter Lance confirms the deaths. He tells The Associated Press the five dead Americans were employees of the company.
Lance did not immediately provide more information.
Local police official Miguel Cardoso said Tuesday morning that three bodies have been recovered. He says it appears all jumped from the chopper.
