American coal billionaire and philanthropist Chris Cline has been killed in a helicopter crash alongside his daughter and five others.
He died a day before his 61st birthday after the helicopter crashed off the coast of the Bahamas as it was flying back to the United States.
Bahamian police said the crash happened off Grand Cay island, killing everyone on board.
A statement from the Royal Bahamas Police Force said the helicopter went missing shortly after leaving Big Grand Cay. Authorities and local residents later found the crash site two miles off Grand Cay.
Police identified the victims as four women and three men but did not provide names.
Mr Cline's death was announced on Twitter by West Virginia Governor Jim Justice.
“Today we lost a WV superstar and I lost a very close friend,” he wrote.
“Chris Cline built an empire and on every occasion was always there to give.
“What a wonderful, loving, and giving man,” he added, saying he would be praying for the coal magnate’s family and “all those involved in this tragedy.”
The 60-year-old was the founder of Foresight Energy, a company which has become a coal mining empire.
In 2015, he sold most of his stake in the publicly traded business for £1.14billion ($1.4billion), according to Forbes.
He died with an estimated net worth of £1.43billion ($1.8billion).
Cline was married twice and had two sons and two daughters.
One of Cline's daughters, is said to be among those on board the aircraft.
Evan Jenkins, a justice at the West Virginia Supreme Court, said the state had lost a “selfless” philanthropist.
"His selfless and generous support for programmes and projects throughout the state improved the lives of countless West Virginians," he said in a statement.
"His life's story was one of hard work, love of family and caring support for others. My deepest condolences go out to his family.”
