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Search for San Clemente Island crash survivors now recovery

KSBY-TV
updated 7:16 a.m. ET Nov. 2, 2009

Reported by: Bethany Tucker

Officials say their search for survivors of last week's mid-air crash near San Clemente Island, has turned into a recovery effort.

Rescue crews say there is little chance of finding survivors of the crash. They say seven people were in the U.S. Coast Guard plane and two were in the Marine Corps helicopter when the two aircraft crashed Thursday night. Debris from both aircraft has been found, but no sign of the crew members.

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Meantime, the family of one of the men aboard the U.S. Coast Guard plane reacts to the news. Between fits of sobbing and tears, Thaddeus Barsotti remembers his oldest brother, Che Barnes. "There's going to be a real void," said Barsotti.

"I was hoping, expecting we were going to be old men together," said the Barnes' twin brother, Noah.

The U.S. Coast Guard has begun its investigation into the cause of the mid-air crash.


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