This article is from the source 'independent' 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.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/helicopter-crashes-in-norfolk-9191064.html

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Helicopter crashes in Norfolk Four feared dead as helicopter crashes in Norfolk
(35 minutes later)
Emergency services are searching the wreckage of a helicopter which crashed in Norfolk. Four people are believed to have died when the helicopter they were travelling in crashed in Norfolk.
It was feared that the pilot was killed in the impact, but it was unclear how many people were aboard the aircraft. Early reports suggested the area was foggy at the time. The cause of the crash has yet to be established and an investigation will be held but there were suggestions that foggy conditions could have been a factor.
Norfolk Police said the helicopter, which is believed to be a civilian aircraft rather than military, came down near Beccles and that the wreckage was discovered by officers after a caller reported the impact. Emergency services scoured the crash site close to the village of Gillingham, near Beccles, for survivors but held out little hope.
In a brief statement a spokeswoman said: “Police are currently dealing with a helicopter crash in Gillingham, near Beccles. Officers were called at about 7.30pm which led to a search of the area resulting in the discovery of the crash site. Emergency services remain on scene and a police cordon is in place.” Ambulance crews and doctors from the East of England Ambulance Service (EEAST) were called to the scene but were unable to save the four people believed to have been on the flight.
A spokeswoman for East of England Ambulance Service said: “We got called to reports of a helicopter crash near Beccles and we sent several resources to the scene, including doctors.” An ambulance spokesman said: “Sadly, it is believed that four people in the helicopter are believed to have died in the crash. Ambulance resources have now been stood down from the scene. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those who have lost their lives tonight.”
The crash took place just two months after a US military HH-60G Pave Hawk, based at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, crashed in Cley next the Sea, Norfolk, during a low level training exercise killing four personnel. Munitions were strewn about the crash site Norfolk Police were called to the scene at about 7.30pm and located the wreckage after carrying out a search. The helicopter was later confirmed to have been civilian rather than military.
Last night’s crash came within hours of the families of 16 men who died in a North Sea helicopter crash calling for the operator to be prosecuted after an inquiry found the tragedy could have been avoided. Fourteen oil workers and two crew died when the Bond Super Puma plunged into the water off the Aberdeenshire coast on 1 April, 2009. A fatal accident inquiry identified failings in the maintenance of the aircraft's gearbox in the days before the crash. A spokeswoman said: “Police are currently dealing with a helicopter crash in Gillingham, near Beccles. Officers were called at about 7.30pm which led to a search of the area resulting in the discovery of the crash site. Emergency services remain on scene and a police cordon is in place.
“The helicopter has been confirmed as a civilian aircraft and the four occupants on board are thought to have died in the crash. Next of kin will be informed before further details of a deceased are released.”
The Air Accident Investigation Bureau said that it had dispatched a team to the crash site, in woodland close to the village church, to begin an investigation.
The crash took place just two months after a US military HH-60G Pave Hawk, based at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, crashed in Cley next the Sea, Norfolk, during a low level training exercise killing four personnel. Munitions were strewn about the crash site, a nature reserve.
Just a few hours before the fatal crash, the families of 16 men who died in a North Sea helicopter accident called for the operator to be prosecuted after an inquiry found the tragedy could have been avoided. Fourteen oil workers and two crew died when the Bond Super Puma plunged into the water off the Aberdeenshire coast on April 1, 2009. A fatal accident inquiry identified failings in the maintenance of the aircraft's gearbox in the days before the crash.