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Scots peer in US forced landing Scots peer in US forced landing
(about 7 hours later)
One of Scotland's richest men escaped injury when his helicopter made a forced landing in the US, coastguard officers said.One of Scotland's richest men escaped injury when his helicopter made a forced landing in the US, coastguard officers said.
Lord Laidlaw is said to have been at the controls of the aircraft when it came down in Penobscot Bay, Maine.Lord Laidlaw is said to have been at the controls of the aircraft when it came down in Penobscot Bay, Maine.
The helicopter had taken off from the peer's 182ft yacht Lady Christine near Little Deer Island on Saturday.The helicopter had taken off from the peer's 182ft yacht Lady Christine near Little Deer Island on Saturday.
All four people on board were able to free themselves and wade ashore. One person was treated for neck pain.All four people on board were able to free themselves and wade ashore. One person was treated for neck pain.
Lord Laidlaw, currently on leave from the House of Lords, has an estimated wealth of more than £700m.
Shallow waterShallow water
Lord Laidlaw, from Keith in Moray, who is currently on leave from the House of Lords, has an estimated wealth of more than £700m.
A United States Coast Guard spokesman said: "He's the owner of the yacht and I heard reports that he was the pilot of the helicopter.A United States Coast Guard spokesman said: "He's the owner of the yacht and I heard reports that he was the pilot of the helicopter.
The helicopter had taken off from Lord Laidlaw's luxury yacht
"They were all able to wade ashore as it landed in shallow water."They were all able to wade ashore as it landed in shallow water.
"Lord Laidlaw was very co-operative. The plan is for his boat to continue sailing down the US coastline for the next 10 days."Lord Laidlaw was very co-operative. The plan is for his boat to continue sailing down the US coastline for the next 10 days.
"For a helicopter crash - and they can never be a good thing - it worked out pretty well.""For a helicopter crash - and they can never be a good thing - it worked out pretty well."
The coastguard was alerted to the situation by the crew of a nearby yacht.The coastguard was alerted to the situation by the crew of a nearby yacht.
Lord Laidlaw, who is based abroad, made his fortune after establishing a conference-organising company called International Research.Lord Laidlaw, who is based abroad, made his fortune after establishing a conference-organising company called International Research.
He became a Tory peer in 2004 and has previously been criticised for not honouring an agreement to give up his status as a tax exile.He became a Tory peer in 2004 and has previously been criticised for not honouring an agreement to give up his status as a tax exile.
After the crash, a small boat from the Lady Christine picked the pilot and three passengers up and returned them to the luxury yacht.After the crash, a small boat from the Lady Christine picked the pilot and three passengers up and returned them to the luxury yacht.
The helicopter was later removed by a commercial salvage company, the coastguard said.The helicopter was later removed by a commercial salvage company, the coastguard said.
An investigation into the incident will be carried out.An investigation into the incident will be carried out.