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14 Die as Copter Hits Oil Rig

Associated Press

A helicopter carrying 15 men crashed and burned today on the deck of an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico, killing all but one of those aboard.

The Coast Guard picked up one survivor and flew him 100 miles to the burn unit of West Jefferson Hospital in suburban New Orleans. Thirteen workers aboard the craft were employees of Penrod Drilling, according to Edward L. Billarreal, division manager of Forest Oil Corp., which operated the rig. The men were flying to the rig to begin a two-week year-end shift.

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