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| Helicopter crashes in North Sea | Helicopter crashes in North Sea |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Several people are feared dead after a helicopter with 16 people on board crashed into the North Sea. | |
| The Bond Super Puma came down about 40 miles north east of Aberdeen, just before 1400 BST, and a major search for survivors was launched. | The Bond Super Puma came down about 40 miles north east of Aberdeen, just before 1400 BST, and a major search for survivors was launched. |
| Unconfirmed reports have suggested as many as 10 people could be dead, with six missing. The search operation includes helicopters and an RAF Nimrod. | |
| The crashed helicopter was returning from BP's Miller field. | |
| Two local lifeboats and other boats are also in the area. | |
| Helicopter operator Bond confirmed one of its aircraft was involved in the incident. | Helicopter operator Bond confirmed one of its aircraft was involved in the incident. |
| The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said a supply vessel called Normand Aurora had put its fast response boat into the water and was looking for survivors. | The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said a supply vessel called Normand Aurora had put its fast response boat into the water and was looking for survivors. |
| Emergency response | Emergency response |
| "Two helicopters from the RAF have been scrambled to the scene and a Nimrod marine patrol aircraft has been diverted to the area," said a spokesman. | "Two helicopters from the RAF have been scrambled to the scene and a Nimrod marine patrol aircraft has been diverted to the area," said a spokesman. |
| "Aberdeen Coastguard have begun broadcasting a mayday signal into the area. RNLI lifeboats from Peterhead and Fraserburgh are heading for the scene now." | "Aberdeen Coastguard have begun broadcasting a mayday signal into the area. RNLI lifeboats from Peterhead and Fraserburgh are heading for the scene now." |
| A Super Puma helicopter ditched in the Etap field in February | A Super Puma helicopter ditched in the Etap field in February |
| BP said: "Emergency teams are responding and the relevant authorities have been informed. | BP said: "Emergency teams are responding and the relevant authorities have been informed. |
| "BP's onshore emergency team has been mobilised and are assisting in the co-ordination of support services. | "BP's onshore emergency team has been mobilised and are assisting in the co-ordination of support services. |
| "We cannot confirm details of the incident at this stage. Our priority at this time is to manage the incident." | "We cannot confirm details of the incident at this stage. Our priority at this time is to manage the incident." |
| A spokeswoman for BAA Aberdeen said it was understood the helicopter had issued a mayday near Peterhead then ditched into the water. | A spokeswoman for BAA Aberdeen said it was understood the helicopter had issued a mayday near Peterhead then ditched into the water. |
| An NHS Grampian spokesperson said: "Our major incident plan is in place and the hospital is well prepared and ready to deal with this incident. | An NHS Grampian spokesperson said: "Our major incident plan is in place and the hospital is well prepared and ready to deal with this incident. |
| "Additional staff are available if required and we will continue to assess the situation to ensure that we can respond in whatever way we need to." | "Additional staff are available if required and we will continue to assess the situation to ensure that we can respond in whatever way we need to." |
| Aviation expert Jim Ferguson on the safety record of the Bond Super Puma | Aviation expert Jim Ferguson on the safety record of the Bond Super Puma |
| Weather forecasters said conditions were relatively good, explaining there was little cloud, winds were light and the sea state was good, with waves of only half a metre. | Weather forecasters said conditions were relatively good, explaining there was little cloud, winds were light and the sea state was good, with waves of only half a metre. |
| The crash comes less than two months after a helicopter with 18 people on board ditched in the Etap field 125 miles east of Aberdeen. | The crash comes less than two months after a helicopter with 18 people on board ditched in the Etap field 125 miles east of Aberdeen. |
| All those on board the Super Puma survived the crash on 18 February. | All those on board the Super Puma survived the crash on 18 February. |
| Do you have a comment about the incident? You can contact us using the form below. | Do you have a comment about the incident? You can contact us using the form below. |
| Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can upload here. |
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| At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |
| The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |