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| Two dead in Army helicopter crash | |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Two people have died after an Army helicopter crashed in Devon. | |
| The Squirrel helicopter came down near Kingscott, Torrington, at 1545 BST. An air exclusion zone has been put in place. | |
| 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 he saw the training helicopter hit power lines before it crashed. | |
| The local farmer said two helicopters were operating closely together when one hit a power line, but this has not been confirmed by investigators or the Ministry of Defence (MoD). | The local farmer said two helicopters were operating closely together when one hit a power line, but this has not been confirmed by investigators or the Ministry of Defence (MoD). |
| Power cut | |
| 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." | |
| About 12,000 homes in the area lost electricity supplies 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 about the time of the accident, although it is not known if this was linked to the crash. |
| Western Power Distribution said it had switched to an alternative supply, but was unable to confirm if the incidents were related. | Western Power Distribution said it had switched to an alternative supply, but was unable to confirm if the incidents were related. |
| A rescue team from RMB Chivenor was scrambled and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue has crews at the scene. | A rescue team from RMB Chivenor was scrambled and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue has crews at 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. | |
| Are you in the area? Did you see the helicopter come down? You can send us your experiences using the form below: | Are you in the area? Did you see the helicopter come down? You can send us your experiences using the form below: |
| You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via mobile please dial 61124. | You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via mobile please dial 61124. |
| If you have a large file you can upload here. | If you have a large file you can upload here. |
| Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |
| Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |