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| Version 14 | Version 15 |
|---|---|
| Two dead in Army helicopter crash | Two dead in Army helicopter crash |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Two people have died after an Army helicopter crashed in Devon. | Two people have died after an Army helicopter crashed in Devon. |
| The Squirrel helicopter came down in dense woodland near Kingscott, Torrington, at 1545 BST. Next of kin have been informed. | The Squirrel helicopter came down in dense woodland near Kingscott, Torrington, at 1545 BST. Next of kin have been informed. |
| One crew member was pronounced dead at the scene. The other was flown to North Devon District Hospital but died later from his injuries. | One crew member was pronounced dead at the scene. The other was flown to North Devon District Hospital but died later from his injuries. |
| An eyewitness told BBC News the training helicopter hit power lines before crashing. | An eyewitness told BBC News the training helicopter hit power lines before crashing. |
| It is believed the helicopter was taking part in a routine low-flying training exercise. | It is believed the helicopter was taking part in a routine low-flying training exercise. |
| 'Blue flash' | 'Blue flash' |
| Devon and Cornwall Police sealed off the crash site for an army investigation unit which has arrived and will lead the inquiry. | Devon and Cornwall Police sealed off the crash site for an army investigation unit which has arrived and will lead the inquiry. |
| Local farmer Paul Herniman said two helicopters were operating closely together when one appeared to hit a power line. He said that was followed by a loud noise. | Local farmer Paul Herniman said two helicopters were operating closely together when one appeared to hit a power line. He said that was followed by a loud noise. |
| "It was like a gun going off," he told BBC News. | "It was like a gun going off," he told BBC News. |
| Other eyewitnesses have reported seeing "a great blue flash". | Other eyewitnesses have reported seeing "a great blue flash". |
| An MoD spokesperson said: "Sadly, we can confirm that both service personnel on board have died. Our thoughts are with their families and friends at this difficult time. | An MoD spokesperson said: "Sadly, we can confirm that both service personnel on board have died. Our thoughts are with their families and friends at this difficult time. |
| "The next of kin are currently being informed. We will confirm further details once this process has been completed." | "The next of kin are currently being informed. We will confirm further details once this process has been completed." |
| Wreckage from the helicopter has been found some distance from the crash site. | Wreckage from the helicopter has been found some distance from the crash site. |
| About 12,000 homes in the area lost electricity supplies at about the time of the accident, although it is not known if this was linked to the crash. | About 12,000 homes in the area lost electricity supplies at about the time of the accident, although it is not known if this was linked to the crash. |
| Western Power Distribution said the crash caused damage to a 33,000 volt line and an 11,000 volt line. | Western Power Distribution said the crash caused damage to a 33,000 volt line and an 11,000 volt line. |
| Fire risk | Fire risk |
| Power was restored within seven minutes but 24 homes were not reconnected. | Power was restored within seven minutes but 24 homes were not reconnected. |
| This was at the request of investigating teams because of the fire from fuel spillage. | This was at the request of investigating teams because of the fire from fuel spillage. |
| An RAF rescue helicopter from RMB Chivenor and a Portland Coastguard helicopter were scrambled following the crash and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue sent crews to the scene. | An RAF rescue helicopter from RMB Chivenor and a Portland Coastguard helicopter were scrambled following the crash and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue sent crews to the scene. |
| Roads close to the crash site have been closed and a two nautical mile air exclusion zone put in place. | Roads close to the crash site have been closed and a two nautical mile air exclusion zone put in place. |
| There have been other fatal crashes involving the French-made Squirrel helicopter, including one which killed the former world rally champion Colin McRae in September 2007. | There have been other fatal crashes involving the French-made Squirrel helicopter, including one which killed the former world rally champion Colin McRae in September 2007. |
| In January of the same year, two RAF Squirrels crashed in Shropshire killing a flying instructor and injuring three other people. | In January of the same year, two RAF Squirrels crashed in Shropshire killing a flying instructor and injuring three other people. |
| The two-seat training helicopter, brought into service in the mid 1990s, is used to instruct pilots from all three armed services in the UK. | The two-seat training helicopter, brought into service in the mid 1990s, is used to instruct pilots from all three armed services in the UK. |
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| Debris from the helicopter is scattered in woodland at the crash site | Debris from the helicopter is scattered in woodland at the crash site |