All 18 people aboard a helicopter which ditched in the North Sea have survived and have been rescued from two life-rafts, the coastguard has said.
All 18 people aboard a helicopter which ditched in the North Sea have survived and have been rescued from two life-rafts, the coastguard has said.
The Super Puma came down near a platform in the ETAP field 125 miles east of Aberdeen. The alarm was raised at about 1840 GMT.
The Super Puma came down near a platform in the ETAP field 125 miles east of Aberdeen. The alarm was raised at about 1840 GMT.
Three were rescued by a Bond company helicopter while the other 15 were recovered by a platform lifeboat.
Three were rescued by a Bond company helicopter and will be airlifted to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary.
The other 15 are expected to be brought back to Aberdeen by fast rescue vessel.
This vessel is expected to arrive on the mainland on Thursday morning.
The coastguard said there were no serious injuries.
The coastguard said there were no serious injuries.
However, there were some people with minor injuries, described as walking wounded.
However, there were some people with minor injuries, described as walking wounded.
British military spokesman James Lyne, from the RAF base at Kinloss, told the BBC the helicopter - owned by Bond Offshore Helicopters - was still floating on the surface of the water.
British military spokesman James Lyne, from the RAF base at Kinloss, told the BBC the helicopter - owned by Bond Offshore Helicopters - was still floating on the surface of the water.
He could not explain why it had gone down but said an investigation was underway.
He could not explain why it had gone down but said an investigation was underway.
He said all those on board would have been wearing immersion suits that would have protected them from the cold of the sea for some time.
He said all those on board would have been wearing immersion suits that would have protected them from the cold of the sea for some time.
Lifejacket lights
Lifejacket lights
People on board the installation, which is operated by BP, saw the incident unfold, and raised the alarm with the coastguard.
People on board the installation, which is operated by BP, saw the incident unfold, and raised the alarm with the coastguard.
There were initial reports of lifejacket lights being seen in the water, and signals being picked up from personal locator beacons, which are attached to lifejackets.
There were initial reports of lifejacket lights being seen in the water, and signals being picked up from personal locator beacons, which are attached to lifejackets.
Three flares were also reported to have been seen from the platform, and parts of helicopter fuselage were seen on the surface.
Three flares were also reported to have been seen from the platform, and parts of helicopter fuselage were seen on the surface.
Four helicopters, including three in-field aircraft and a Sea King from RAF Lossiemouth, took part in the rescue. A Nimrod from RAF Kinloss was also scrambled.
Four helicopters, including three in-field aircraft and a Sea King from RAF Lossiemouth, took part in the rescue. A Nimrod from RAF Kinloss was also scrambled.
Grampian Police said they were currently working with the other emergency services, search and rescue and representatives of BP and Bond to co-ordinate the return of the passengers to Aberdeen.
Grampian Police said they were currently working with the other emergency services, search and rescue and representatives of BP and Bond to co-ordinate the return of the passengers to Aberdeen.
NHS Grampian said A&E staff at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary were now on full alert and were expecting 18 patients.
NHS Grampian said A&E staff at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary were now on full alert and were expecting 18 patients.
A phone line had been set up for families of the passengers and crew on 01224 836 479.
A phone line had been set up for families of the passengers and crew on 01224 836 479.
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