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Fatal US helicopter crash in Norfolk: Investigation starts Fatal US helicopter crash in Norfolk: Investigation starts
(35 minutes later)
Investigations have started into what caused a US Air Force helicopter to crash in Norfolk, killing all four people on board.Investigations have started into what caused a US Air Force helicopter to crash in Norfolk, killing all four people on board.
The HH-60G Pave Hawk, based at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, came down at a nature reserve in Cley next the Sea on Tuesday night.The HH-60G Pave Hawk, based at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, came down at a nature reserve in Cley next the Sea on Tuesday night.
The aircraft, from the 48th Fighter Wing, was on a low-level training mission and carrying live ammunition.The aircraft, from the 48th Fighter Wing, was on a low-level training mission and carrying live ammunition.
A 1,200ft (400m) area is cordoned off and the A149 through Cley is closed.A 1,200ft (400m) area is cordoned off and the A149 through Cley is closed.
The wreckage has scattered over an area the size of a football pitch and it will take a number of days to carry out an inquiry, due to the geography of the area and munitions from the crashed helicopter among the debris, police said. The wreckage, including a "significant" number of bullets from the crashed aircraft, is scattered over an area the size of a football pitch, police said.
The public are urged to avoid the site, which lies in marshland between the A149 and the coastline. It will take a number of days to carry out an inquiry, due to the geography of the area and the live munitions.
The public are urged to avoid the site, which lies in marshland between the A149 and the coastline, while emergency services, Ministry of Defence, Air Accident Investigation Branch, US Air Force and HM Coroner assess the site.
'Difficult terrain''Difficult terrain'
A second helicopter from RAF Lakenheath, which landed on the marshes shortly after the crash also remains at the scene.A second helicopter from RAF Lakenheath, which landed on the marshes shortly after the crash also remains at the scene.
Ch Supt Bob Scully, from Norfolk Police, said officers received reports of a helicopter crash "somewhere on the north Norfolk coast" at about 19:00 GMT, and quickly established it was at Cley.Ch Supt Bob Scully, from Norfolk Police, said officers received reports of a helicopter crash "somewhere on the north Norfolk coast" at about 19:00 GMT, and quickly established it was at Cley.
He said the inquiry was likely to be handed over to UK and US aircraft investigation authorities later, once the bodies of the four crew members had been recovered and removed by the coroner. He said the inquiry was to be handed over to UK and US aircraft investigation authorities later, once the bodies of the four crew members had been recovered and removed by the coroner.
"In order to carry out a thorough investigation in a safe manner, the area will remain cordoned off with no access for the general public," he added. "The crash site is about the size of a football pitch, with difficult terrain which makes this a challenging and lengthy process.
"We will be working the Ministry of Defence, Air Accident Investigation Branch and US Air Force to gather all evidence from the scene and then recover the aircraft. "This is mainly on marshland although some debris which was close to the beach has been moved as it would be vulnerable to high tide.
"This is difficult terrain with marshland and tides coupled with wreckage containing munitions covering a large area. "Further close examinations of the scene will take place this morning and the bodies of the deceased will be removed once this has taken place.
"The helicopter was carrying ammunition this was in the form of bullets which are scattered across the site, which is why the restrictions are necessary.
"We must undertake this investigation and recovery operation in a careful and methodical way so we can provide answers as to why this crash happened."We must undertake this investigation and recovery operation in a careful and methodical way so we can provide answers as to why this crash happened.
"For reasons of safety it is essential that members of the public adhere to the cordon.""For reasons of safety it is essential that members of the public adhere to the cordon."
He described the scene has "hazardous" and said walking and bird-watching in the area would be restricted until the marshland was safe.He described the scene has "hazardous" and said walking and bird-watching in the area would be restricted until the marshland was safe.
Some debris has already been moved to protect it from high tide, he added.Some debris has already been moved to protect it from high tide, he added.
'Very loud''Very loud'
Details of the four crew members will not be released until next-of-kin have been informed, police said.Details of the four crew members will not be released until next-of-kin have been informed, police said.
Bernard Bishop, a Norfolk Wildlife Trust warden based at Cley, said his house overlooked the crash site.Bernard Bishop, a Norfolk Wildlife Trust warden based at Cley, said his house overlooked the crash site.
"I heard the helicopter flying overhead and watched from my back garden," he said."I heard the helicopter flying overhead and watched from my back garden," he said.
"It was very quickly obvious something serious was wrong. The search and rescue crews quickly arrived and it was my job to escort them over the marsh."It was very quickly obvious something serious was wrong. The search and rescue crews quickly arrived and it was my job to escort them over the marsh.
"The conditions are very difficult because the marsh has flooded twice in recent weeks so that's hampering their efforts to recover the bodies and make the helicopter safe."The conditions are very difficult because the marsh has flooded twice in recent weeks so that's hampering their efforts to recover the bodies and make the helicopter safe.
"There's only one track in and out of the crash site, which is also restricting their movements."There's only one track in and out of the crash site, which is also restricting their movements.
"It's just awful. I've never known anything like and never seen so many people here at one time.""It's just awful. I've never known anything like and never seen so many people here at one time."
Accidents 'rare'Accidents 'rare'
The HH-60G Pave Hawk is a version of the US Army's Black Hawk helicopter and is used for combat search and rescue, mainly to recover downed aircrew or other isolated personnel in war zones.The HH-60G Pave Hawk is a version of the US Army's Black Hawk helicopter and is used for combat search and rescue, mainly to recover downed aircrew or other isolated personnel in war zones.
It is just more than 17m long (nearly 65ft) and has a maximum speed of 224mph.It is just more than 17m long (nearly 65ft) and has a maximum speed of 224mph.
The 48th Fighter Wing, also known as the Liberty Wing, is assigned to the United States Air Forces in Europe.The 48th Fighter Wing, also known as the Liberty Wing, is assigned to the United States Air Forces in Europe.
Retired USAF colonel Rick Davis told BBC Breakfast the unit was tasked to be "combat-ready" and must be ready to deploy anywhere in the world within 72 hours.Retired USAF colonel Rick Davis told BBC Breakfast the unit was tasked to be "combat-ready" and must be ready to deploy anywhere in the world within 72 hours.
Aviation expert Chris Yates told the BBC's Today programme: "This area of the country has lived with military operations for an awful lot of years, and it's rare for accidents such as this to happen.Aviation expert Chris Yates told the BBC's Today programme: "This area of the country has lived with military operations for an awful lot of years, and it's rare for accidents such as this to happen.
"We have to be mindful that these are military flyers and they are the best, of the best, of the best."We have to be mindful that these are military flyers and they are the best, of the best, of the best.
"It would be unusual, once we get through this investigation, to find that this was pilot error; it might be more mechanical fault.""It would be unusual, once we get through this investigation, to find that this was pilot error; it might be more mechanical fault."
Cley is one mile east of Blakeney and four miles north of Holt, on the main coast road between Wells and Sheringham.Cley is one mile east of Blakeney and four miles north of Holt, on the main coast road between Wells and Sheringham.
The village's nature reserve is famous as a bird-watching site.The village's nature reserve is famous as a bird-watching site.