Five dead, one in serious condition following helicopter crash in Knik Glacier area

Five people are dead and another is in serious condition following a helicopter crash in the Knik Glacier area Saturday night.

A rescue team dispatched by the Alaska Rescue Coordination Center located the crash site, according to an online dispatch posted by the Alaska State Troopers. AST received a report about an overdue helicopter and possible location of crash debris at about 10 p.m. Saturday.

The helicopter was an Airbus AS350B3 owned by Soloy Helicopters in Wasilla. The deceased have been identified as Gregory Harms, 52, of Colorado; Petr Kellner, 56, of Czech Republic; Benjamin Larochaix, 50, of Czech Republic; Sean McManamy, 38, of Girdwood; and Zachary Russell, 33, of Anchorage. Russell was the pilot.

The injured passenger remains in serious but stable conditions, according to troopers. The National Transportation Safety Board will investigate the accident. Troopers said the group was believed to be heliskiing in the area.