Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

DATE=03/22/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=IRAQ / CHOPPERS (S-UPDATE)

NUMBER=2-301123

BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB

DATELINE=AS-SAYLIYAH, QATAR

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

/// UPDATES CR-2-301115 ///

INTRO: Two helicopters of the British air force have crashed into the Gulf, killing all seven crew members. Correspondent Scott Bobb has more from coalition headquarters at Al-Sayliyah camp in Qatar.

TEXT: The British military spokesman at coalition headquarters, Group Captain Al Lockwood, says the accident occurred shortly before dawn (4:30 a.m. local time) on Saturday.

/// LOCKWOOD ACT ///

Two of our Royal Navy Sea Kings collided over international waters in the north Arabian Gulf, and, tragically, I have to report that the seven crewmembers on board perished.

/// END ACT ///

U-S officials say one of the crewmembers was an American soldier.

Saturday's crash came as coalition forces took the southern Iraqi port of Umm Qasr, and continue to advance on neighboring Basra. It follows a night of intense coalition bombing of selected targets in Baghdad and other major Iraqi cities.

It is the second helicopter accident in two days. A U-S helicopter Friday crashed in northern Kuwait, killing four American crewmembers and eight British soldiers. (Signed)

NEB/SB/KL/TW