The remaining survivors of a North Sea helicopter accident have arrived back in Aberdeen harbour on a support vessel which plucked them from the sea.
The remaining survivors of a North Sea helicopter accident have arrived back in Aberdeen harbour on a support vessel which plucked them from the sea.
All 18 on board the aircraft were rescued from life rafts and three were flown to hospital - they have since been discharged.
All 18 on board the aircraft were rescued from life rafts and three were flown to hospital - they have since been discharged.
Workers on the BP oil platform, the flight's destination, saw the aircraft ditch 125 miles east of Aberdeen.
Workers on the BP oil platform, the flight's destination, saw the aircraft ditch 125 miles east of Aberdeen.
Air accident investigators are launching an inquiry into the cause.
Air accident investigators are launching an inquiry into the cause.
The Super Puma shuttle came down near the platform in the ETAP field.
The Super Puma shuttle came down near the platform in the ETAP field.
The coastguard said there were no serious injuries, but some of those involved had suffered minor injuries, described as walking wounded.
The coastguard said there were no serious injuries, but some of those involved had suffered minor injuries, described as walking wounded.The last 15 survivors were brought back to Aberdeen harbour
The remaining survivors arrived back at Aberdeen harbour's Albert Quay on the Caledonia Victory at 0555 GMT on Thursday.
The remaining survivors arrived back at Aberdeen harbour's Albert Quay on the Caledonia Victory at 0555 GMT on Thursday.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch said it would be launching an investigation into Wednesday night's accident and would send nine people to Aberdeen on Thursday.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch said it would be launching an investigation into Wednesday night's accident and would send nine people to Aberdeen on Thursday.
The managing director of BP North Sea, Bernard Loony, said it was too early to say what had caused the helicopter to ditch into the sea.
The managing director of BP North Sea, Bernard Loony, said it was too early to say what had caused the helicopter to ditch into the sea.
"Clearly... this will be the subject of a significant investigation," he said.
"Clearly... this will be the subject of a significant investigation," he said.
"But it is time, I think, to play real tribute to the teams who acted with such, such professionalism during the rescue of the passengers and the crew and I'd like to pay tribute to them.
"But it is time, I think, to play real tribute to the teams who acted with such, such professionalism during the rescue of the passengers and the crew and I'd like to pay tribute to them.
"But we're very pleased that at this point in time, everyone is safe".
"But we're very pleased that at this point in time, everyone is safe".
Winched to safety
Winched to safety
British military spokesman James Lyne, from the RAF base at Kinloss, said the helicopter had landed upright and floated due to flotation bags which inflated when it landed on water.
British military spokesman James Lyne, from the RAF base at Kinloss, said the helicopter had landed upright and floated due to flotation bags which inflated when it landed on water.
The passengers escaped into three rubber dinghies equipped with locator beacons, which were detected by satellites enabling rescuers to pinpoint their exact position.Bond offshore helicopters confirmed one of its Super Pumas had ditched
The passengers escaped into three rubber dinghies equipped with locator beacons, which were detected by satellites enabling rescuers to pinpoint their exact position.
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.
Three of the passengers were winched to safety by one of the helicopters and the other 15 were recovered by one of the rescue craft.
Three of the passengers were winched to safety by one of the helicopters and the other 15 were recovered by one of the rescue craft.
Fred Kagel, from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, said the accident was reported by people on the platform.
Fred Kagel, from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, said the accident was reported by people on the platform.
"They reported that they'd seen a helicopter ditch into the sea [and] seeing life-jacket lights and also three flares that had been fired from a direction south and east of the platform - and the helicopter fuselage was also seen on the surface.
"They reported that they'd seen a helicopter ditch into the sea [and] seeing life-jacket lights and also three flares that had been fired from a direction south and east of the platform - and the helicopter fuselage was also seen on the surface.
"So this incident sort of gives a remarkable similarity to the aircraft that landed on the Hudson river."
"So this incident sort of gives a remarkable similarity to the aircraft that landed on the Hudson river."
Michael Coull, from Aberdeen Coastguard, said the incident was an extremely unusual event.
Michael Coull, from Aberdeen Coastguard, said the incident was an extremely unusual event.
"It has happened in the past, aircraft have ditched in the North Sea, but it is very rare given the number of flights that take place on a daily basis."
"It has happened in the past, aircraft have ditched in the North Sea, but it is very rare given the number of flights that take place on a daily basis."
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.
YOUR COMMENTS
I'm glad it went well! I'm on the "Skandi Caledonia" berthed in Aberdeen. About 1 hour ago the "Caldonian Victory" arrived with the survivors from the heli accident. The police, ambulances, the press and a bus is set up on the quayside. We listened in on the VHF radios last night. We are glad it all went well! The RAF are truly angels!Morgan, Bergen
Every four years I have to go on a course to train in escape from Helicopters that have capsized when they have ditched in the water. When I go offshore I am dressed in a survival dry suit with a thermal liner. We have been flying helicopter to offshore platforms since the mid 60's with little improvement in their safety. If it is necessary to send people on course and near drown them and then dress them in survival suits to travel in these machines there is some thing wrong with this mode of transport!Edmund Fitch, Lewes, England
Working in the offshore industry I have worked on the ETAP platform. This reminds us how sensible it is that we must watch a helicopter/personal safety equipment video every single time we are about to board a chopper. Well done to pilots and passengers involved.Gordon Mackay, Aberdeen
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