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| Version 11 | Version 12 |
|---|---|
| Six dead in rig helicopter crash | Six dead in rig helicopter crash |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Six bodies have been recovered from the sea after a helicopter crashed off Morecambe Bay in Lancashire. | Six bodies have been recovered from the sea after a helicopter crashed off Morecambe Bay in Lancashire. |
| A rescue operation was launched after the Eurocopter AS365N carrying seven people came down 24 miles offshore. | A rescue operation was launched after the Eurocopter AS365N carrying seven people came down 24 miles offshore. |
| The aircraft took off from Blackpool Airport and was ferrying Centrica personnel to gas rigs in the bay. | The aircraft took off from Blackpool Airport and was ferrying Centrica personnel to gas rigs in the bay. |
| Two crew members and five rig workers were missing. RAF rescue helicopters, coastguard and RNLI crews, and a rig support vessel joined the search. | Two crew members and five rig workers were missing. RAF rescue helicopters, coastguard and RNLI crews, and a rig support vessel joined the search. |
| The bodies of six men have been recovered and were brought ashore, Lancashire Constabulary said. | The bodies of six men have been recovered and were brought ashore, Lancashire Constabulary said. |
| The search was continuing for the other missing person, a spokesman added. | The search was continuing for the other missing person, a spokesman added. |
| Emergency phone numbers for relatives to contact - 01772 410772/410774. | Emergency phone numbers for relatives to contact - 01772 410772/410774. |
| Detective Superintendent Mick Gradwell said "there was a very quick rescue response because people were on the drilling platform waiting to be picked up and they actually saw the helicopter ditch in the sea". | Detective Superintendent Mick Gradwell said "there was a very quick rescue response because people were on the drilling platform waiting to be picked up and they actually saw the helicopter ditch in the sea". |
| He said the witnesses were being transported back to be interviewed as investigators from the Civil Aviation Authority and other agencies tried to establish the cause of the crash. | |
| Families contacted | Families contacted |
| The helicopter, operated by industry transportation giant CHC, left Blackpool at about 1800 GMT and was visiting two rigs to bring workers back to shore. | The helicopter, operated by industry transportation giant CHC, left Blackpool at about 1800 GMT and was visiting two rigs to bring workers back to shore. |
| Det Supt Gradwell said conditions were cold but it was not very foggy. | Det Supt Gradwell said conditions were cold but it was not very foggy. |
| He said police were unaware of any emergency calls having being received. | He said police were unaware of any emergency calls having being received. |
| Centrica said it is contacting all families connected with its Morecambe Bay gas fields. | Centrica said it is contacting all families connected with its Morecambe Bay gas fields. |
| Relatives of Centrica employees can call a dedicated helpline on 01524 864585. | Relatives of Centrica employees can call a dedicated helpline on 01524 864585. |
| The rescue is being co-ordinated by Liverpool coastguards and lifeboats from Fleetwood and Barrow have been sent to the scene. | The rescue is being co-ordinated by Liverpool coastguards and lifeboats from Fleetwood and Barrow have been sent to the scene. |
| Rescue helicopters from RAF Valley and RAF Leconfield were called out. | Rescue helicopters from RAF Valley and RAF Leconfield were called out. |
| Gas was discovered in the area in 1974 and extraction operations began 11 years later. There are about 143 Centrica staff working on the platforms at any one time. | Gas was discovered in the area in 1974 and extraction operations began 11 years later. There are about 143 Centrica staff working on the platforms at any one time. |
| Have you been affected by this incident? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below. | Have you been affected by this incident? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below. |
| If you have any pictures or moving footage you can send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 07725 100 100 | If you have any pictures or moving footage you can send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 07725 100 100 |
| Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |