Update: Two rescued in helicopter crash in ocean

Two survivors have been rescued from a Cougar helicopter offshore shuttle that has gone down about 47 nautical miles southeast of St. John's. The two are being transported to hospital in St. John's at this time.
The downed helicopter had 18 people onboard - transporting workers to and from the Hibernia platform. The mayday came in at 9:18 a.m.
A Provincial Airlines plane circling overhead reported seeing a liferaft and two people in the water. The downed helicopter cannot be seen, nor can they see if anyone is in the liferaft.
A Hercules aircraft and four Cormorant rescue helicopters are on their way to the scene. The Coast Guard vessel Cape Roger and a supply ship are nearing the scene as well.
A gale force warning is in effect for the area with winds south at 20 knots increasing to 35 early this afternoon. Seas are said to be two-to-three metres and the visibility is 10 nautical miles.
Police officers have arrived at Cougar Helicopters base at St. John's International Airport to keep members of the media at bay.
More details as soon as they become available.