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Sailor Fatally Injured by Helicopter Rotor Blade at Camp Pendleton Identified

The U.S. Marine Corps identified a sailor Sunday who died days after being struck by the blade of a helicopter at Camp Pendleton. 

Navy Lt. James E. Mazzuchelli was injured Wednesday by a spinning tail rotor blade on a UH-1Y Venom helicopter while the aircraft was on deck, according to the U.S. Marine Corps.

The sailor was taken to Scripps La Jolla Medical Center and was listed in critical condition days after the accident. 

At about 5:45 a.m. Saturday, Mazzuchelli succumbed to his injuries, the Marine Corps said. 

Mazzuchelli was a flight surgeon assigned to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron (HMLA) 267, Marine Aircraft Group 39, stationed at MCAS Camp Pendleton.

The Florida native was commissioned in the Navy in June 2010. He previously deployed to Japan in 2010. 

His commanding officer described Mazzuchelli as a talented and passionate sailor. 

"Lt. James Mazzuchelli was an incredibly talented physician and Sailor,” Col. Matthew Mowery, commanding officer of MAG-39, said. "His contagious enthusiasm, motivation, and love for the Marines and Sailors of HMLA-267 and MAG-39 has been evident in the outpouring of grief at his loss and the support being shown to his family and close friends."

The Marine Corps is investigating the incident and did not provide any further detail.

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