Nation in brief: Charles, Camilla begin U.S. visit
Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, shook hands with well-wishers outside Independence Hall on Saturday to kick off their first trip to the city where Americans declared their independence from British rule.
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall greeted long lines of gushing fans, mingling with them, accepting flowers and charming many in the crowd. The royal couple are on a two-day visit to the United States that focuses on youth development, urban renewal and environmental stewardship.
“She actually offered her hand to me,” said Debbie Lefevre, 49, who gave the duchess flowers. “I was shocked.”
Prince Charles and Camilla met with the mayor, governor and other officials, then toured west Philadelphia, an area of some of the city’s poorer and more violent neighborhoods.
San Diego
Navy ends search for missing crew
The Navy called off a search Saturday for three missing crew members of a helicopter that crashed in the ocean about 50 miles off California’s southern coast.
Friday’s crash during a training mission left one sailor dead, and the Navy had searched for the remaining crew through the night and into Saturday afternoon.
“The cold water temperature and the time that elapsed since the crash occurred led Navy officials to conclude that aircrew survivability is extremely unlikely,” said Navy Lt. Cmdr. Elizabeth Meydenbauer.
Meydenbauer said the Navy knew the location of the sunken helicopter, but hadn’t decided whether the wreckage would be brought up from the ocean floor.
Identities of the helicopter crew members would not be released until relatives were notified, Meydenbauer said.
Daytona Beach, Fla.
Police recapture escaped prisoner
An escaped prisoner who evaded a manhunt across the Southeast by stealing three vehicles, including singer Crystal Gayle’s tour bus, has been arrested, authorities said.
Christopher Daniel Gay, 32, was arrested around 11 p.m. Friday at the Daytona International Speedway where he had been watching a race, said Lt. Patrick Myers, spokesman for Daytona Beach police.
Gay escaped from a prisoner transport van on Jan. 21 near Hardeeville, S.C., police said. Authorities have said his motive for fleeing was to see his terminally ill mother; it was unclear whether he ever made it there.