This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2014/jan/07/norfolk-helicopter-crash-cley-next-sea
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| US air force helicopter crashes in Norfolk, killing at least four people | US air force helicopter crashes in Norfolk, killing at least four people |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| At least four people have been killed after a US military helicopter crashed during a training exercise near a Royal Air Force base on the east coast of England. | At least four people have been killed after a US military helicopter crashed during a training exercise near a Royal Air Force base on the east coast of England. |
| A 400m area was cordoned off by police following the incident, which happened around 6pm on Tuesday near the Norfolk village of Cley-next-the-Sea. Local people were told to stay clear. | |
| The incident involved a HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter, a derivative of the better-known Black Hawk aircraft, whose primary role is the transport of special forces. | The incident involved a HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter, a derivative of the better-known Black Hawk aircraft, whose primary role is the transport of special forces. |
| The US Air Force (USAF) said that the aircraft was flying from a US airbase at RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk, to the south of the crash site, and had been taking part in a low-level flying exercise. | The US Air Force (USAF) said that the aircraft was flying from a US airbase at RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk, to the south of the crash site, and had been taking part in a low-level flying exercise. |
| A Pentagon official in Washington later confirmed that the four crew members were presumed dead. | |
| The base is home to the USAF's 48th Fighter Wing, also known as the Liberty Wing, which is integral to US air strength in Europe, and has been involved in anti-terrorism operations around the world. | The base is home to the USAF's 48th Fighter Wing, also known as the Liberty Wing, which is integral to US air strength in Europe, and has been involved in anti-terrorism operations around the world. |
| Local reports said residents had heard F-15 planes flying over the scene of the crash, in the vicinity of a nature reserve run by Norfolk Wildlife Trust. | Local reports said residents had heard F-15 planes flying over the scene of the crash, in the vicinity of a nature reserve run by Norfolk Wildlife Trust. |
| Norfolk police said the cordon would remain in place for at least 24 hours. | Norfolk police said the cordon would remain in place for at least 24 hours. |
| The force said the helicopter had come down in a marsh and that the crew of four on board had all died. It added that family members would be notified before details on the victims could be released and that the USAF would be involved in an investigation. A police spokesman said the helicopter was carrying live ammunition. | The force said the helicopter had come down in a marsh and that the crew of four on board had all died. It added that family members would be notified before details on the victims could be released and that the USAF would be involved in an investigation. A police spokesman said the helicopter was carrying live ammunition. |
| Dozens of emergency vehicles from the fire brigade, coastguard and police were involved in an operation at the scene on Tuesday night, while the Royal National Lifeboat Institution earlier sent out three lifeboats in response to initial reports of a crash in the area. | |
| Peter and Sue McKnespiey, who run Cookies crab shop in the nearby village of Salthouse, live near the crash site. | Peter and Sue McKnespiey, who run Cookies crab shop in the nearby village of Salthouse, live near the crash site. |
| She said: "We heard the helicopter come over very fast and very low. I don't know about engines, but I am used to the sound of helicopters, and this sounded very heavy and very unusual. | She said: "We heard the helicopter come over very fast and very low. I don't know about engines, but I am used to the sound of helicopters, and this sounded very heavy and very unusual. |
| "My gut instinct was there was something wrong. We've now heard four people have died and it's just awful. I keep hoping the helicopter I heard isn't the one that crashed. I think the whole village will be devastated when it realises what's happened." | "My gut instinct was there was something wrong. We've now heard four people have died and it's just awful. I keep hoping the helicopter I heard isn't the one that crashed. I think the whole village will be devastated when it realises what's happened." |
| Helen Terry, 43, another Salthouse resident who said she had heard the helicopter flying over, said: "We assumed it was just heading out to sea for training exercises. It's a daily occurrence and we're quite used to it. | Helen Terry, 43, another Salthouse resident who said she had heard the helicopter flying over, said: "We assumed it was just heading out to sea for training exercises. It's a daily occurrence and we're quite used to it. |
| "We live less than half a mile from where it's happened and we didn't hear any bang. The first we heard was when we saw emergency crews rushing to the area." | "We live less than half a mile from where it's happened and we didn't hear any bang. The first we heard was when we saw emergency crews rushing to the area." |
| Cley artist Rachel Lockwood, from the village's Pinkfoot gallery, said: "We had never seen so many police cars and fire engines, so went to have a look. | Cley artist Rachel Lockwood, from the village's Pinkfoot gallery, said: "We had never seen so many police cars and fire engines, so went to have a look. |
| "The beach road to Cley is sealed off. There are lots of fire engines near the Dun Cow pub at Salthouse. A helicopter is hovering over the marsh with a light beaming down." Cley is a picturesque village one mile east of Blakeney and four miles north of Holt, on the main coast road between Wells and Sheringham. | "The beach road to Cley is sealed off. There are lots of fire engines near the Dun Cow pub at Salthouse. A helicopter is hovering over the marsh with a light beaming down." Cley is a picturesque village one mile east of Blakeney and four miles north of Holt, on the main coast road between Wells and Sheringham. |
| The US military uses Pave Hawks for combat search and rescue missions during day and night, mainly to recover downed air crew or other isolated personnel such as special forces troopers operating in conflict zones. | The US military uses Pave Hawks for combat search and rescue missions during day and night, mainly to recover downed air crew or other isolated personnel such as special forces troopers operating in conflict zones. |
| The aircraft, which are manufactured by Sikorsky, have seen action in every major conflict involving the US since the 1989 invasion of Panama, although concerns have been expressed in recent years that their frequent use has taken a toll. | The aircraft, which are manufactured by Sikorsky, have seen action in every major conflict involving the US since the 1989 invasion of Panama, although concerns have been expressed in recent years that their frequent use has taken a toll. |
| Most of the 99 helicopters in the personnel-recovery fleet have developed structural cracks due to overuse but US military budget constraints have disrupted attempts to carry out upgrades, according to a report last month in Forbes. | Most of the 99 helicopters in the personnel-recovery fleet have developed structural cracks due to overuse but US military budget constraints have disrupted attempts to carry out upgrades, according to a report last month in Forbes. |
| The 64ft long Pave Hawk can travel at speeds of up to 184mph (159 knots) and usually carry a crew of two pilots, one flight engineer and a gunner. | The 64ft long Pave Hawk can travel at speeds of up to 184mph (159 knots) and usually carry a crew of two pilots, one flight engineer and a gunner. |
| All have an automatic flight control system, night vision goggles and an infrared system that enhances night low-level operations. They also have colour weather radar and an engine/rotor blade anti-ice system to help cope with adverse weather conditions. In recent years, the helicopters have been deployed in Iraq, Afghanisation and Libya. | All have an automatic flight control system, night vision goggles and an infrared system that enhances night low-level operations. They also have colour weather radar and an engine/rotor blade anti-ice system to help cope with adverse weather conditions. In recent years, the helicopters have been deployed in Iraq, Afghanisation and Libya. |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. | Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. |