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| Norfolk helicopter crash: Four people believed to be dead | Norfolk helicopter crash: Four people believed to be dead |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Four people are believed to have been killed when a US air force (USAF) helicopter crashed during a "low-level" training exercise. | |
| The aircraft came down in Cley next the Sea in north Norfolk. Emergency services are at the scene with a 1,200ft (400m) area cordoned off. | |
| The helicopter is an HH-60G Pave Hawk, based at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, a spokesman for the USAF confirmed. | The helicopter is an HH-60G Pave Hawk, based at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, a spokesman for the USAF confirmed. |
| The aircraft usually carries a four-man crew on board, he said. | The aircraft usually carries a four-man crew on board, he said. |
| Police said residents can stay in their homes but pedestrians and motorists are being diverted away as there is live ammunition on board. | Police said residents can stay in their homes but pedestrians and motorists are being diverted away as there is live ammunition on board. |
| An RAF Lakenheath spokesman said: "The aircraft, assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing, was on a low-level training mission when the crash occurred." | |
| Six appliances from Norfolk Fire Service are currently in attendance, including four pumps, a water carrier and an environmental protection unit. | Six appliances from Norfolk Fire Service are currently in attendance, including four pumps, a water carrier and an environmental protection unit. |
| The helicopter came down at 18:00 GMT and a spokesman said the first unit arrived at the scene at 19:53 GMT. | |
| Richard Kelham, chairman of Cley Parish Council, said the helicopter had crashed in the middle of Cley Marshes, a bird reserve. | Richard Kelham, chairman of Cley Parish Council, said the helicopter had crashed in the middle of Cley Marshes, a bird reserve. |
| "The incident is very sad," he added. | "The incident is very sad," he added. |
| Brian Egan, who lives near to the site of the crash, said he saw two military aircraft flying in the area at about 18:00 GMT. | Brian Egan, who lives near to the site of the crash, said he saw two military aircraft flying in the area at about 18:00 GMT. |
| "They were flying extremely low and I took some video footage," he said. "About two hours later I heard they had ditched." | "They were flying extremely low and I took some video footage," he said. "About two hours later I heard they had ditched." |
| 'Training mission' | 'Training mission' |
| Michael Girling, who also lives nearby, said he heard the impact of the crash. | Michael Girling, who also lives nearby, said he heard the impact of the crash. |
| "I thought the helicopter had landed on the beach," he said. "It had obviously ditched. It's on a nature reserve." | "I thought the helicopter had landed on the beach," he said. "It had obviously ditched. It's on a nature reserve." |
| Brendan Joyce, chief executive officer of Norfolk Wildlife Trust, said: "Our immediate thoughts are for the families of those who sadly lost their lives. | Brendan Joyce, chief executive officer of Norfolk Wildlife Trust, said: "Our immediate thoughts are for the families of those who sadly lost their lives. |
| "It is likely the reserve will be closed for at least Wednesday while the incident is investigated." | "It is likely the reserve will be closed for at least Wednesday while the incident is investigated." |
| It was initially thought the aircraft had ditched in the North Sea. | It was initially thought the aircraft had ditched in the North Sea. |
| A spokesman for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution said: "We were asked for three lifeboats to respond. | A spokesman for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution said: "We were asked for three lifeboats to respond. |
| "Crews from Wells, Sheringham and Cromer were launched at the request of the coastguard but were stood down when it was confirmed that the aircraft had come down over land." | "Crews from Wells, Sheringham and Cromer were launched at the request of the coastguard but were stood down when it was confirmed that the aircraft had come down over land." |
| Pave Hawks are used for combat search and rescue, mainly to recover downed aircrew or other isolated personnel in war zones. | Pave Hawks are used for combat search and rescue, mainly to recover downed aircrew or other isolated personnel in war zones. |
| The 48th Fighter Wing, also known as the Liberty Wing, is assigned to the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE). | The 48th Fighter Wing, also known as the Liberty Wing, is assigned to the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE). |
| In addition to HH-60G Pave Hawks, it is home to squadrons of F-15 Eagle tactical fighter planes and F-15E Strike Eagle dual-role fighters. | In addition to HH-60G Pave Hawks, it is home to squadrons of F-15 Eagle tactical fighter planes and F-15E Strike Eagle dual-role fighters. |
| Military aviation analyst Roger Smith said he was "very surprised" this type of helicopter was involved in a crash. | |
| "It's a very safe outfit... well equipped to fly in poor weather with a highly trained crew, used to flying at night," he said. | |
| He said the crew would normally be made up of a pilot, co-pilot, crew chief (flight engineer) and gunner. | |
| "It's main role is combat air rescue when an allied pilot is shot down behind enemy lines," he said. "This has to be done in the cover of darkness so they have to be able to fly in the dark in bad weather." |