Three people have died after a helicopter crashed into a field on the Isle of Wight during a flying lesson, police have said.
The aircraft was carrying four people including the pilot when it crashed in a field near Ventnor, the operator Northumbria Helicopters said.
Emergency services rushed to the scene after they were alerted at 9.24am that a helicopter had come down in a field near the A3020 Shanklin Road.
A spokesperson for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said three people had died in the crash while one person remains in hospital in a serious condition.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch said an investigation is underway.
Key Points
- Three killed in helicopter crash on Isle of Wight
- A helicopter has crashed in a field near Ventnor on the Isle of Wight: police
- Emergency services rushed to the scene within four minutes
- Initial witness report suggests four people were on board
- So far one person has been airlifted to Southampton hospital's major trauma centre
- Air Accidents branch currently deploying team to investigate
Watch: Four people on aircraft that crashed were in flying lesson, says operator
23:30
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Katie Hawkinson
Recap: What we know so far about the crash
23:00
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Katie Hawkinson
A helicopter crashed on the Isle of Wight on Monday morning.
The helicopter departed from Sandown Airport around 9am, a spokesperson for Northumbria Helicopters said. Police received a call about the crash at 9.24am.
There were four people on board, including the pilot, the company said.
Three people were killed, while a fourth person was airlifted to a hospital in serious condition. Their identities have not been released.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch is now looking into the incident.
Joe Robertson, the MP for Isle of Wight East, said the local community is in shock following the crash.
"It is very sad and tragic news during what should have been a happy Bank Holiday helicopter flight from Sandown Airport,” he said. “The whole community is in shock.”
'My heart goes out to the families'
22:28
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Katie Hawkinson
Joe Robertson, the MP for Isle of Wight East, said the local community was in shock.
"My heart goes out to the families of those who lost their lives in the helicopter crash outside Shanklin today," he said in a statement. "It is very sad and tragic news during what should have been a happy Bank Holiday helicopter flight from Sandown Airport. The whole community is in shock.
"My sincere thanks to all the emergency services personnel who have been involved and to the investigators for their work ahead."
'A tragedy'
22:11
,
Katie Hawkinson
Joe Robertson, Conservative MP for Isle of Wight East, told Times Radio the crash was "heartbreaking", saying what should have been a fun morning out turned to "tragedy".
Crash happened on 'significantly busy, high-speed road'
21:57
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Katie Hawkinson
Darren Toogood, editor and publisher at the Island Echo, told Sky News that the helicopter crashed on a "significantly busy, high-speed road" between the village of Godshill and the seaside town of Shanklin.
"It was on one of the first flights of the day," he said.
"It's a bank holiday weekend in August on the Isle of Wight. It's an incredibly busy area. Lots of tourists down at the moment. It appears no vehicles were involved, which is incredible, given how busy this road would have been this morning."
Recap: Local council issues statement on helicopter crash
21:30
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Katie Hawkinson
The Shanklin Town Council released a statement on Monday’s deadly helicopter crash on the Isle of Wight.
The council said it was “shocked” to hear about the incident.
“This bank holiday, as well as hosting the scooter rally on the island, has many organised events that run from Sandown airport. One of those is the regular flights that give visitors the ability to view the coastline from the air.
“This is a tragic accident and the pilot deserves huge credit for bringing down the helicopter in a field away from any built up areas. Our thoughts and prays are with the individuals involved as well as their immediate families, not forgetting the quick action and professionalism of our emergency services.”
Recap: What do we know about the victims?
21:10
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Katie Hawkinson
A helicopter crashed in a field on the Isle of Wight, killing multiple people on board.
Four people, including the pilot, were on board the helicopter for flying lessons on Monday. Three people were killed in the crash, while the fourth person was airlifted to a nearby hospital with serious injuries.
Authorities have yet to release their identities.
Helicopter crashed near 'high-speed road'
20:50
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Katie Hawkinson
Darren Toogood, editor and publisher of the local outlet Island Echo, told Sky News the helicopter crashed in a field near a “significantly busy, high-speed road”.
"It was on one of the first flights of the day," he said.
Mr Toogood said it’s an “incredibly busy area”.
“Lots of tourists down at the moment. It appears no vehicles were involved, which is incredible, given how busy this road would have been this morning,” he added.
Holiday park manager describes 'chaotic' scene near crash
20:30
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Katie Hawkinson
A manager of a holiday park near the crash scene told the BBC the day has been “chaotic” following the crash.
"They've closed off all the roads at the moment,” said Fleur Sanders, manager of the Appuldurcombe Gardens Holiday Park in Wroxall, Ventnor.
She told the BBC it’s the height of the park’s busy summer season, and there are “guests that can't get access...there's a long diversion, tourists and motor homes are trying to come in”.
Full story: Three killed as helicopter crashes during flying lesson on Isle of Wight
20:10
,
Katie Hawkinson
A helicopter crashed into a field on the Isle of Wight on Monday, killing three people and seriously injuring a fourth.
Steffie Banatvala and Bryony Gooch have the full story:
MP for Isle of Wight East warns residents to avoid the area
19:50
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Katie Hawkinson
Joe Robertson, MP for Isle of Wight East, has instructed people to avoid the area.
“Where the helicopter came down is fairly rural,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live. “It’s surrounded by fields and a road that runs from Shanklin and Sandown, which are on the east, quite well-known for their beaches, through to Ventnor in the south, which is part of the rocky part of south of the island. It is not in a very populated area, albeit it seems to be fairly close to a road that runs between two towns.”
MP Joe Robertson comments on 'heartbreaking' incident
19:30
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Bryony Gooch
Joe Robertson, Conservative MP for Isle of Wight East, has spoken out following the death of three in a helicopter crash on the Isle of Wight.
He told Times Radio the incident was “heartbreaking”, saying what should have been a fun morning out turned to “tragedy”.
Robinson R44 in pictures
19:15
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Steffie Banatvala
Earlier, we brought you news that aircraft G-OCLV is listed as a Robinson R44 II helicopter.
Here you can see an example of Robinson R44 model helicopter:
Watch: Four people on aircraft that crashed were in flying lesson, says operator
19:00
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Bryony Gooch
Witness said helicopter 'spiralled' before it came down in a hedge
18:45
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Bryony Gooch
Witness Leigh Goldsmith told the Isle of Wight County Press she was driving towards Shanklin when she saw the helicopter “spiralling” before it went out of sight and came down in a hedge.
A spokesman for Northumbria Helicopters said that its aircraft G-OCLV – which is listed as a Robinson R44 II helicopter – was involved in the accident during a flying lesson.
The firm said: “The flight, which departed from Sandown Airport at approximately 9am, was carrying four passengers on board including the pilot, and was undertaking a flying lesson.”
If you're just joining us
18:30
,
Steffie Banatvala
- A helicopter crashed in a field near Ventnor just before 9.30am
- Four people including the pilot were on board for flying lessons
- The aircraft is listed as a Robinson R44 II helicopter
- One person was airlifted to a major trauma centre in a Southampton hospital
- Three people have died and a fourth remains in hospital in a serious condition after a helicopter crash during a flying lesson on the Isle of Wight.
- A multi-agency emergency response was deployed but it is no longer being treated as a major incident
- The Air Accident Investigation Branch is investigating the crash
AAIB 'gathering evidence' for investigation
18:15
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Steffie Banatvala
Earlier, we brought you news that the Air Accidents Investigation Branch deployed a team to the Isle of Wight.
They have confirmed an investigation is underway.
“A team of inspectors has been sent to the accident site to gather evidence and make enquiries.”
One person remains in hospital in serious condition after helicopter crash
17:45
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Bryony Gooch
One person remains in hospital in serious condition after a helicopter crash on the Isle of Wight, Hampshire Police have said.
The helicopter carried four people and three others have died in the incident.
Three killed in helicopter crash on Isle of Wight
17:17
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Bryony Gooch
Three people have died and a fourth remains in hospital in a serious condition following a helicopter crash during a flying lesson on the Isle of Wight, according to Hampshire Police.
MP says day of fun ended in tragedy
17:15
,
Steffie Banatvala
Isle of Wight East MP Joe Robertson told the BBC the crash was a "tragedy".
Mr Robertson added that the community is in shock after what should have been a fun outing turned into a tragic day.
He praised the work of the emergency services in a rural and challenging location.
What aircraft was involved in the crash?
16:45
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Steffie Banatvala
Aircraft G-OCLV is listed as a Robinson R44 II helicopter.
The operator Northumbria Helicopters describes Robinson R44s on their site as a “four seat dual control helicopter”
“With a 6 cylinder, horizontally opposed, direct drive Avco Lycoming 540 cubic inch (8.8 Litre) naturally aspirated, air cooled engine. 33 foot main rotor diameter. Maximum all up mass of 2400 lbs.”
Operator: Aircraft G-OCLV left Sandown Airport airport at about 9am
16:16
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Steffie Banatvala
"The flight, which departed from Sandown Airport at approximately 09:00 was carrying four passengers on board including the pilot, and was undertaking a flying lesson," the operator Northumbria Helicopters has said.
It added that it was giving ''full cooperation'' to the authorities.
Pictures emerge from site of crash
15:55
,
Steffie Banatvala
Condition of people involved won't be released until after families contacted: police
15:21
,
Steffie Banatvala
A Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary spokesperson has said that the condition of those involved would not be released until their families had been spoken to.
It comes after the news that one person was airlifted to the major trauma centre at University Hospital Southampton.
Major incident declaration 'stood down': police
15:18
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Steffie Banatvala
A Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary spokesman said a major incident was declared to co-ordinate the response but has now been stood down.
“A major incident was called at 9.47am to support the co-ordination of the emergency response but this has since been stood down.
“There has been a multi-agency response to the scene, including colleagues from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire & Rescue Service, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, and the Air Accident Investigation Branch.”
Local council confirms 'tragic incident'
14:47
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Steffie Banatvala
Shanklin Town Council has released a full statement on the helicopter crash this morning.
It reads: “Shanklin Town Council was shocked to hear about the incident involving a pleasure flight helicopter crash landing on the outskirts of the town.
“This bank holiday, as well as hosting the scooter rally on the island, has many organised events that run from Sandown airport.
“One of those is the regular flights that give visitors the ability to view the coastline from the air.
“This is a tragic accident and the pilot deserves huge credit for bringing down the helicopter in a field away from any built up areas.
“Our thoughts and prays are with the individuals involved as well as their immediate families, not forgetting the quick action and professionalism of our emergency services.”
Rural crash site cordoned off by police
14:18
,
Steffie Banatvala
Police have cordoned off the site where the crash took place on the Isle of Wight, according to the BBC.
Emergency vehicles are parked at the scene.
Air flights restricted around the crash scene: local media
12:52
,
Steffie Banatvala
Restrictions on air flights have been put in place around the scene of the crash, according to the Isle of Wight County Press.
It comes after one person was airlifted to hospital. Details of whether there were casualties have not yet been confirmed.
Air Accidents branch currently deploying team to investigate
12:32
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Steffie Banatvala
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has said it is in the process of launching an investigation.
“The AAIB was notified of an accident involving a light helicopter on the Isle of Wight this morning. We are deploying a team to commence an investigation.”
Initial witness report suggests four people were on board
12:19
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Steffie Banatvala
Witness Leigh Goldsmith told the Isle of Wight County Press she was driving towards Shanklin when she saw the helicopter “spiralling” before it went out of sight and came down in a hedge.
She said she was the first on the scene and saw there were four people on board, and she believed the airbags had been activated.
Breaking: one person has been airlifted to major trauma centre
12:17
,
Steffie Banatvala
One person has been airlifted to hospital in Southampton following the helicopter crash on the Isle of Wight, according to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.
She said: “We have treated and airlifted one patient to the major trauma centre, University Hospital Southampton. Our thoughts are with them, and everyone involved in today’s incident.”
More follows...
Mapped: helicopter crashes in a field near Ventnor
12:04
,
Steffie Banatvala
A helicopter has crashed in a field near Ventnor and the A3020 Shanklin Road, police said.
A woman told the Isle of Wight County Press she saw the helicopter come down in a hedge as she was driving towards Shanklin.
Emergency services deployed within four minutes
11:45
,
Steffie Banatvala
After a call at 9.24am alerted police to a crash near Shanklin road, according to police, emergency services were deployed in just four minutes.
A spokeswoman for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance said: “We can confirm our dispatchers deployed the air ambulance at 09.28 to an incident near Ventnor on the Isle of Wight today.
“The critical care team consisting of a doctor and a specialist paramedic are on scene working alongside our emergency service colleagues.”
Firefighters from Newport, Ventnor and Shanklin were also called out shortly before 09.30am, a Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said.
