It has been reported that the loss of three crewmen in a helicopter crash off the Pacific Northwest had shocked the entire organization.

Adm. Robert Papp spoke at a memorial service Tuesday in Sitka, Alaska, the home base of the MH-60 rescue chopper that went down last week off La Push, Wash.

Papp said, "Our service, Air Station Sitka, the family and friends are all shocked by these events. Of all the events we face in life, the loss of a husband, brother, shipmate is the most difficult."

The Coast Guard said in a written statement that Lt. Sean Krueger and Petty Officers Adam Hoke and Brett Banks died when the aircraft went down July 7 on a flight from Sitka to Astoria, Ore.

According to the reports of the Seattle Times, Lt. Lance Leone survived the crash with a broken arm and leg. Leone was discharged from a Seattle hospital Monday.

The Times also reported that the cause of the crash was being investigated but witnesses had said the helicopter struck a power line. (With Inputs from Agencies)