Post by corsair67 on Dec 28, 2006 13:36:17 GMT 12
Source: Reuters
Police confirm six deaths in chopper crash
From correspondents in London
December 28, 2006.
RESCUE workers have recovered six bodies after a helicopter carrying gas rig workers went down off the northwest English coast today.
Royal Air Force helicopters and Coast Guard ships were still searching for a seventh person who was on board the helicopter.
It plunged into the sea near a gas production rig 40km off the coast in Morecambe Bay.
"We've recently recovered a sixth body from the sea," police Superintendent Mick Gradwell told the BBC.
Utility company Centrica Plc said some of its employees were on board the helicopter, which was carrying five gas rig workers and two crew members.
The helicopter was operated by CHC Scotia Ltd, a contract company.
Supt Gradwell said it had taken off from Blackpool airport to pick up the gas rig workers and bring them back to shore.
It had stopped to pick up passengers at two rigs and was about to go to a third platform when it ditched in the sea.
"There was a very quick rescue response because people were on the drilling platform waiting to be picked up and they actually saw the helicopter ditch in the sea," he said.
Mr Gradwell told Sky there was no indication of the cause of the accident and the Civil Aviation Authority would investigate.
Police confirm six deaths in chopper crash
From correspondents in London
December 28, 2006.
RESCUE workers have recovered six bodies after a helicopter carrying gas rig workers went down off the northwest English coast today.
Royal Air Force helicopters and Coast Guard ships were still searching for a seventh person who was on board the helicopter.
It plunged into the sea near a gas production rig 40km off the coast in Morecambe Bay.
"We've recently recovered a sixth body from the sea," police Superintendent Mick Gradwell told the BBC.
Utility company Centrica Plc said some of its employees were on board the helicopter, which was carrying five gas rig workers and two crew members.
The helicopter was operated by CHC Scotia Ltd, a contract company.
Supt Gradwell said it had taken off from Blackpool airport to pick up the gas rig workers and bring them back to shore.
It had stopped to pick up passengers at two rigs and was about to go to a third platform when it ditched in the sea.
"There was a very quick rescue response because people were on the drilling platform waiting to be picked up and they actually saw the helicopter ditch in the sea," he said.
Mr Gradwell told Sky there was no indication of the cause of the accident and the Civil Aviation Authority would investigate.
