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Was a helicopter crash that killed four people as it took a patient to hospital caused by the pilot TEXTING at the controls?

A fatal 2011 medical helicopter crash is thought to be the first commercial accident caused by texting while flying, according to the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board. The incident in Missouri killed four people, including the 58-year-old woman who was being transferred between hospitals, after the helicopter ran out of fuel and plunged to the ground. Now new documents reveal that the pilot received four texts and sent three others during the flight and it thought that these distractions contributed to the accident. Scene: The medical helicopter crashed in this field after what is thought to be the first commercial accident caused by texting and flying, according to safety board reports Tragic: Pilot James Freudenbert, 34, (left) and 58-year-old Terry Tacoronte, (right) who was being transferred between hospitals, died in the crash As reported by Bloomberg, the National Transportation Safety Board is meeting on Tuesday to assign a cause for the accident on August

'Anti-government parents who kidnapped their toddler sons' now thought to be in Cuba and officials 'don't know how they will be able to extradite the children'

The Florida couple suspected of kidnapping their two sons from the woman's parents are in Cuba, authorities said Monday. The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office received information that the Hakken family had arrived on the island nation, according to a news release. Investigators say they're working with the FBI and the U.S. State Department to verify their reports. It wasn't immediately clear what, if anything, authorities could do to retrieve the family from Cuba. An email seeking comment from the State Department wasn't returned. 'Armed and dangerous': Joshua Hakken, 35, (pictured left) and his wife Sharyn, 34, (right) are believed to have tried an abduction before in Louisiana International incident: Police are now trying to figure out where in Cuba the family is hiding out The sheriff's office alleges that Joshua Michael Hakken entered his mother-in-law's house north of Tampa early last Wednesday, tied her up and fled with his so

Man vs Machine: 'World's greatest footballer' Lionel Messi foiled by cardboard goalkeeping robot in penalty shootout

He has been lauded as one of the world's greatest ever footballers, winning Fifa's coveted Player of the Year award for a record fourth consecutive year. But it seems Lionel Messi is no match for this Japanese goalkeeping robot. Despite rattling in 57 goals this season, the Barcelona striker lost his famous touch when faced with the moving piece of cardboard for a Japanese game show. Scroll down for video Man v machine: Messi prepares to step up against the robot goalkeeper Not spot on: Messi steps up for his penalty against his electronic nemesis Messi attempt: Despite rattling in 57 goals this season, the Barcelona striker is no match for this Japanese goalkeeping robot, which saves both of his first goal efforts Footage of the game show shows Messi, considered by many as the game's greatest ever player, missing his first two spot-kicks against his electronic nemesis. The Argentine striker appears to take the first defeat in good nature, smiling and shaking

Frail final years of the Iron Lady: The death of Denis was a shattering blow as her great powers diminished

The first sign that Margaret Thatcher was losing her vice-like grip on world affairs came shortly before the 1997 General Election which ended 18 years of Tory rule and brought Tony Blair to power. As Prime Minister she had famously survived on four hours sleep a night and the pace had never slowed after her fall from power seven years earlier. She was in huge demand on the international lecture circuit, travelling the globe to promote her free-market philosophy. Then, abruptly, at the end of 1996, her aides detected an uncharacteristic mental frailty in the Iron Lady. She began to repeat herself in discussions. But it was not just that her famed mental powers were dimming. Lady Thatcher was having difficulties with her hearing as well. Only her intimates were permitted to know that there was anything wrong with her. Lady Thatcher, on a park bench in London enjoying the sunshine in March last year with her carer Kate One of the last pictures: Lady Thatcher in Battersea Park last

Science fiction becomes reality as U.S Navy showcases laser weapons capable of destroying drones within seconds that will be in use as early as 2014

Science fiction fans and military scientists have dreamed of using lasers as weapons for decades, but from next summer it will become a reality. The U.S. Navy announced on Monday that it will attach a prototype of its Laser Weapons System (LaWS) to USS Ponce and send the amphibious transport docking ship to the Middle East in 2014. This will be the first time a laser weapon is used in active service. The blast of infrared energy it delivers can disable a small boat or even take down a drone from above as an impressive Navy video shows. Scroll down for video Laser revolution: The U.S. Navy announced on Monday that it will send a prototype of its Laser Weapons System to the Middle East in 2014 Effective: The laser locks on to its target (left) and with seconds the drone is on fire and heading towards the sea Navy researchers told reporters that the laser gun, or a 'directed energy pulse weapon' as the military call it, destroyed its targets 100 percent of the time in test

Tim Johnson becomes latest senator to endorse gay marriage leaving just THREE Democrats opposing change in law

South Dakota Senator Tim Johnson says he now supports legalizing gay marriage. The Democrat released a statement today saying that after lengthy consideration, his views on the issue have changed. He claims that such a law would apply only to governments and wouldn't require 'any religious denomination to alter any of its tenets.' Support: South Dakota Senator Tim Johnson, pictured, says he now supports legalizing gay marriage In 2005 and 2006, Johnson said he didn't support gay marriage but also didn't believe a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage in the U.S. was needed. Johnson recently announced that he wouldn't seek re-election next year. 'After lengthy consideration, my views have evolved sufficiently to support marriage equality legislation,' he said in the statement. 'This position doesn't require any religious denomination to alter any of its tenets; it simply forbids government from discrimination regarding who can mar

Powerful 70mph winds cause chaos across the West as trees uprooted in California and blinding dust storms lead to car crashes in Arizona

Powerful winds raked much of California on Monday, toppling trees, causing scattered power outages, whipping up blinding dust storms, and sending waves crashing ashore as a vigorous spring weather system swept through the state on its way across the West. Rising winds were reported in Arizona, where 34 miles of Interstate 40 near Winslow had to be closed to traffic. In Phoenix, blowing dust obscured the mountains surrounding the city, and at least four people were injured in a pileup when two semi-trucks jack-knifed in a dust storm on Interstate 10 in southern Arizona. The injuries were not life-threatening. Taking cover: This man had to hide his face from the sand in Victorville, California but that didn't stop him Crashing down: The wind, caused by a spring weather system, created massive waves in San Pedro, California Prepared: Though the breakers helped prevent any structural damage in Redondo Beach (pictured), the wind was problematic in Arizona where it caused mas