US Coast Guard members found with helicopter that crashed outside of remote Alaska town rushed to hospital

Four members of the US Coast Guard have been rushed to hospital after their helicopter crashed over Alaska. 

The agency said an MH-60 Jayhawk crashed during a training flight close to Harbor Mountain in Sitka on Monday morning. 

No deaths have been reported, and the conditions of those who were on board have not been disclosed. 

‘Watch standers at the Arctic District command center received the report of the crash at approximately 10.07am,’ the US Coast Guard said in a statement. 

‘The cause of the crash is currently under investigation.’

Writing on X, the Arctic branch of the agency said coast guards were ‘actively responding to a reported crash’ at about 11am local time. 

‘First responders and search and rescue assets are currently responding,’ the agency wrote.

‘The safety, well-being, and rescue of our crew members is our absolute, immediate priority.’

‘A formal investigation will be conducted to determine the circumstances surrounding the event,’ the agency added. 

Harbor Mountain, where the plane went down, is just five miles from downtown Sitka. 

Sitka is a city-borough close to the state capital of Juneau, nestled between the Sitka Sound and the Chichagof-Baranof Mountains in southern Alaska. 

The borough is spread over several islands, including Baranof Island and part of the Alaska Panhandle. 

The Sitka metro area is home to around 8,500 people, making it the fifth most populated city in Alaska. 

Spread over 2,870 square miles, Sitka is also the largest city by total area in the US.  

The Daily Mail has contacted the US Coast Guard for more information.

This is a breaking news story with updates to follow.