THREE people have disappeared after a coastguard helicopter crash-landed into the sea opposite Almería airport, emergency services reveal.

They were called by staff at the air control tower at 20.30hrs last night after seeing flares about five miles out to sea and having lost control of the helicopter by radio and on screen.

The craft, Helimer, was transporting four people, one of whom was rescued and taken to hospital in a serious condition.

Rescuers brought the victim in to shore, as far as the jetty where a Guardia Civil lifeboat was moored.

The remaining three crew-members have not been seen since the helicopter plunged into the Mediterranean for reasons that have not yet been ascertained.