11 feared dead as US military helicopter crashes in Florida

Eglin Air Force Base spokesperson says too soon to tell reason of crash but there were 'weather issues' overnight

Eleven were feared dead as US military helicopter crashed in Florida during a training exercise on Wednesday, according to CNN.

Seven Marines and four aircrew were aboard one of two UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters participating in a routine training mission which went down off the coast.

"We have found some human remains," Eglin Air Force Base spokesman Andy Bourland told NBC News. He said he did not have further details on the identities or number.

Earlier, senior US military officials said they feared all 11 service members on board were dead.

Some aircraft debris also has washed ashore, Bourland said.

He told NBC News that a search and rescue operation was underway.

“It is too soon to say what caused the crash, but there were 'weather issues' overnight," Bourland added.

The missing Marines were from a special operations regiment out of Camp LeJeune in North Carolina, Bourland said.

The helicopters and air crew were assigned to the Army National Guard unit out of Hammond, Louisiana.

The downed helicopter departed from Destin, Florida, and crashed over the water.