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Four people on board helicopter that crashed near Shanklin Three people die and one hurt in helicopter crash near Shanklin
(32 minutes later)
One person has been taken to hospital after the crashOne person has been taken to hospital after the crash
Four people were on board a helicopter that crashed in a field on the Isle of Wight during a flying lesson, it has been confirmed. Three people have died and one person has been seriously injured in a helicopter crash on the Isle of Wight, police have confirmed.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary (HIWC) was called to the scene near Shanklin at about 09:20 BST and has closed the A3020 Shanklin Road. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary (HIWC) said four people were on board the helicopter when it crashed near Shanklin at about 09:20 BST.
One person has been airlifted to the Major Trauma Centre, University Hospital Southampton. The condition of the others on board is not yet known. One person was airlifted to the Major Trauma Centre, University Hospital Southampton, where they remain in a serious condition.
Northumbria Helicopters confirmed the helicopter had departed from Sandown Airport with "four passengers on board including the pilot, and was undertaking a flying lesson". Northumbria Helicopters confirmed earlier the vehicle had departed from Sandown Airport at about 09:00 BST for a flying lesson.
The company said it was giving its "full cooperation" to the authorities investigating the crash. HIWC said efforts were continuing to "contact and support" the families of those involved.
Shanklin Town Council earlier praised the pilot for "bringing the helicopter down" away from built up areas. "At this time we are unable to provide further information about the people involved," said a spokesperson.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service said crews from Newport, Ventnor and Shanklin were called to the reports of a "light aircraft incident". "We will not be commenting on the circumstances of the incident but continue to work alongside the Air Accident Investigation Branch."
Four double crew ambulances, one specialist paramedic in a rapid response vehicle, one critical care paramedic and the operational commander were all at the scene. Northumbria Helicopters said it was giving its "full cooperation" to the authorities investigating the crash.
HIWC said it initially declared the crash a major incident "to support the co-ordination of the emergency response", but that had since been stood down.HIWC said it initially declared the crash a major incident "to support the co-ordination of the emergency response", but that had since been stood down.
The road was closed for emergency service accessThe road was closed for emergency service access
In a statement, Shanklin Town Council said it was "shocked to hear about the incident involving a pleasure flight helicopter crash landing on the outskirts of the town".In a statement, Shanklin Town Council said it was "shocked to hear about the incident involving a pleasure flight helicopter crash landing on the outskirts of the town".
It said there were many organised events on the island over the bank holiday weekend, including the Isle of Wight Scooter Rally, which attracted thousands of vintage scooter owners to the event at Sandown Airport.It said there were many organised events on the island over the bank holiday weekend, including the Isle of Wight Scooter Rally, which attracted thousands of vintage scooter owners to the event at Sandown Airport.
It praised the pilot for "bringing the helicopter down" away from built up areas.
The helicopter departed from Sandown Airport at approximately 09:00 BST, Northumbria Helicopters saidThe helicopter departed from Sandown Airport at approximately 09:00 BST, Northumbria Helicopters said
The local authority said: "This is a tragic accident and the pilot deserves huge credit for bringing down the helicopter in a field away from any built up areas.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the individuals involved as well as their immediate families, not forgetting the quick action and professionalism of our emergency services."
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said it was "deploying a team to commence an investigation".The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said it was "deploying a team to commence an investigation".
BBC Reporter Anjana Gadgil said she could see police cars parked in the road where the accident took place:BBC Reporter Anjana Gadgil said she could see police cars parked in the road where the accident took place:
"It's a rural area with tall hedges lining each side of the narrow winding roads," she said."It's a rural area with tall hedges lining each side of the narrow winding roads," she said.
"The whole area has been cordoned off including the many bridleways and footpaths that crisscross the fields and hill.""The whole area has been cordoned off including the many bridleways and footpaths that crisscross the fields and hill."
The crash happened near Shanklin on the south of the islandThe crash happened near Shanklin on the south of the island
Conservative MP for the Isle of Wight East Joe Robertson has described the crash as a "tragedy" and said the community was in shock and ready to rally around the families of those involved.Conservative MP for the Isle of Wight East Joe Robertson has described the crash as a "tragedy" and said the community was in shock and ready to rally around the families of those involved.
He asked people to avoid the site of the crash.He asked people to avoid the site of the crash.
"Where the helicopter came down is fairly rural," he said. "It's surrounded by fields and a road that runs from Shanklin and Sandown, which are on the east, quite well-known for their beaches, through to Ventnor in the south."
Fleur Sanders, who runs Appuldurcombe Gardens Holiday Park in Wroxall, Ventnor, said it had been "a bit chaotic" in the aftermath of the crash, with her guests struggling to make it to their accommodation.
"They've closed off all the roads at the moment," she said.
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