This article is from the source 'bbc' 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.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-26573899
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Norfolk crash: Lord Ballyedmond raised concerns over helicopter | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A Northern Ireland peer killed in an air accident in Norfolk had raised concerns about the helicopter that crashed, the BBC has learned. | |
| Lord Ballyedmond was one of four people who died when the helicopter came down in a field in Norfolk on Thursday. | |
| The Agusta Westland AW139 crashed near the 70-year-old's stately home in Gillingham, near Beccles. | The Agusta Westland AW139 crashed near the 70-year-old's stately home in Gillingham, near Beccles. |
| Another of the victims was Declan Small, 42, from Mayobridge in County Down. | Another of the victims was Declan Small, 42, from Mayobridge in County Down. |
| Lord Ballyedmond, who was one of Northern Ireland's richest men, and the three other people on board, all male, died at the scene. | Lord Ballyedmond, who was one of Northern Ireland's richest men, and the three other people on board, all male, died at the scene. |
| Their four bodies are expected to be removed later. | Their four bodies are expected to be removed later. |
| It has emerged that, last year, Lord Ballyedmond, a Conservative peer, lodged a claim against the manufacturer of an Agusta Westland helicopter he owned. | It has emerged that, last year, Lord Ballyedmond, a Conservative peer, lodged a claim against the manufacturer of an Agusta Westland helicopter he owned. |
| He wanted a refund, claiming that it had a number of problems, including a hole in one of its blades, oil leaks and failures in the communication and navigation systems. | He wanted a refund, claiming that it had a number of problems, including a hole in one of its blades, oil leaks and failures in the communication and navigation systems. |
| It has not been confirmed whether that helicopter was the one that crashed on Thursday. | It has not been confirmed whether that helicopter was the one that crashed on Thursday. |
| A spokesman for Agusta Westland said the company could not comment on possible defects with Lord Ballyedmond's helicopter, but said it was making checks internally and would support the ongoing investigation in any possible way. | A spokesman for Agusta Westland said the company could not comment on possible defects with Lord Ballyedmond's helicopter, but said it was making checks internally and would support the ongoing investigation in any possible way. |
| It is not known what caused the crash but witnesses reported fog in the area at the time and said the helicopter came down very soon after taking off at about 19:30 GMT. | It is not known what caused the crash but witnesses reported fog in the area at the time and said the helicopter came down very soon after taking off at about 19:30 GMT. |
| The Police Service of Northern Ireland has been contacted by Norfolk Police for assistance. | The Police Service of Northern Ireland has been contacted by Norfolk Police for assistance. |
| Ch Insp Stuart Armes of Norfolk Police said the crash scene covered "a considerable area" and there were road closures in place in case of debris. | Ch Insp Stuart Armes of Norfolk Police said the crash scene covered "a considerable area" and there were road closures in place in case of debris. |
| "It is very early to assess what's happened," he said. "Our primary objective is to establish the investigation and to support the family." | "It is very early to assess what's happened," he said. "Our primary objective is to establish the investigation and to support the family." |
| He said limited investigations had taken place in the dark and foggy conditions and officers were waiting for the fog to lift. | He said limited investigations had taken place in the dark and foggy conditions and officers were waiting for the fog to lift. |
| Supt Dave Marshall, of Norfolk police, said: "Police, along with our emergency service colleagues and the Air Accident Investigation Branch are now working towards the dignified removal of the four bodies, which is expected to take place this afternoon, full examination of the scene and opening roads as quickly as possible. | Supt Dave Marshall, of Norfolk police, said: "Police, along with our emergency service colleagues and the Air Accident Investigation Branch are now working towards the dignified removal of the four bodies, which is expected to take place this afternoon, full examination of the scene and opening roads as quickly as possible. |
| "The cordon is in place to keep areas sterile and allow the investigation to be carried out sensitively and safely." | "The cordon is in place to keep areas sterile and allow the investigation to be carried out sensitively and safely." |
| Tributes have been paid to Dr Edward Haughey, who became Lord Ballyedmond of Mourne when he was created a life peer in 2004. | Tributes have been paid to Dr Edward Haughey, who became Lord Ballyedmond of Mourne when he was created a life peer in 2004. |
| He was a leading industrialist and owned veterinary pharmaceutical firm Norbrook Laboratories in Newry, County Down, and had a range of other business interests. | He was a leading industrialist and owned veterinary pharmaceutical firm Norbrook Laboratories in Newry, County Down, and had a range of other business interests. |
| As well as being a member of the House of Lords, he was a former member of the Irish senate. | As well as being a member of the House of Lords, he was a former member of the Irish senate. |
| In December 1996 a helicopter owned by Lord Ballyedmond crashed on Carlingford Mountain in the Republic of Ireland killing three people. | In December 1996 a helicopter owned by Lord Ballyedmond crashed on Carlingford Mountain in the Republic of Ireland killing three people. |
| It was en route to his Rostrevor home. | It was en route to his Rostrevor home. |
| Gillingham is a small village in the south of Norfolk with a population of about 650. | Gillingham is a small village in the south of Norfolk with a population of about 650. |
| Norfolk Police said the crash site would remain cordoned off during the day while examinations of the scene were carried out. | Norfolk Police said the crash site would remain cordoned off during the day while examinations of the scene were carried out. |
| The site of the crash is about 45 miles from where four crew members died when a US military helicopter crashed on a training mission in a nature reserve in Cley next the Sea, Norfolk, in January. | The site of the crash is about 45 miles from where four crew members died when a US military helicopter crashed on a training mission in a nature reserve in Cley next the Sea, Norfolk, in January. |