The Tribune

FLORIDA real estate developer Jeffery Soffer, one of four survivors of the Abaco helicopter crash that killed one passenger, has been released from hospital, according to reports.

An article on the Miami Herald’s website said Mr Soffer, head of Turnberry Associates and owner of the famous Fontainebleau hotel in Miami Beach, was treated for a number of injuries – among them a fractured vertebrae – at Miami’s Ryder Trauma Center.

Also treated there were two other crash victims, Dan and Paula Riordan, the report said.

Although local authorities have remained tight lipped on the details of the crash, the fourth survivor was confirmed by Tribune sources to be David Pearce, a British man treated and released from Doctors Hospital earlier this week.

The one fatality was Lance Valdez, a resident of Lyford Cay.

The crash took place at the Baker’s Bay Golf and Ocean Club on Guana Cay.

Civil Aviation investigators said they have now examined the crash site, but must conduct further analysis before a cause is identified.

The Miami Herald report said that although local authorities are heading up the investigation, the US

National Transportation Safety Board has been invited to take part.

According to an eyewitness, the helicopter crashed near the club’s townhouses last Thursday after it was caught by a violent gust of wind as it attempted to land.

Reportedly the helicopter’s rotor blade hit the ground – flinging three of the passengers out. Mr Valdez was reportedly killed by the blades.