3 people have tragically died and another has been left seriously injured following a horror helicopter crash on the outskirts of Shanklin this morning (Monday).
It was at around 09:24 that reports were made of an aviation accident involving a helicopter operating a flying lesson, which came down on the A3020 Shanklin Road near Whiteley Bank.
Eyewitnesses say that the chopper – understood to be on one of its first flights of the day – appeared to spiral out of control before plummeting to the ground.
Emergency crews from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service, Isle of Wight Ambulance Service and HM Coastguard were rapidly dispatched to the scene. Such was the nature of the initial call that the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance and Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 175 were also scrambled, landing in a field adjacent to the crash site.
Sadly, nothing could be done to save the lives of 3 of the 4 people on board the helicopter – including the pilot. The fourth person involved, a male, was airlifted to Southampton General Hospital by the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance after 2 hours of on-scene treatment.
The helicopter involved, tail number G-OCLV, was a Robinson R44 II operated by Northumbria Helicopters. It had not long left Sandown Airport, climbing to around 800ft in the air before it began to fall.
The Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) has deployed a team to the Island as they work to establish the full circumstances of the tragedy.
Police have confirmed that investigations into the incident are ongoing but they are unable to provide further information about the people involved, as efforts continue to contact and support their families.
Shanklin Road remains closed between the junctions with Whiteley Bank and Apse Manor Road and is expected to remain closed for the foreeseable to allow for investigations and recovery.
A dreadful tragedy .
R.I.P.
Very sad news.
Thoughts with all the families of those involved and affected by this tragic incident
Flying lessons…
How else do you learn to fly a helicopter?
Could have been a residential area…
Well yes it could, however statistically you are far more likely to have a person in a car have a major accident in a residential area than an aviation incident.
Flying is still statistically safer than driving, and the reason it makes such a shock news story when it happens is because it happens so rarely.
My thoughts are with all of those affected by this mornings’ tragedy.
Wasn’t a lesson was a pleasure flight it’s been on it and safety was paramount at all times yes could have been far worse but I feel for everyone involved but 1000 pleasure trips 1 bad accident tragedy maybe should stop cars with all there accidents tragedy thoughts with everyone involved
Yes I agree this was a pleasure flight… I went up in an aeroplane some time ago and was told that it was a flying lesson because it was to expensive for insurance purposes so it had to be called a lesson not a pleasure flight. Very sad
Agreed. A helicopter has been flying over my house lots of times for days. Saw this one fly over this morning too.
Oh do shut up
This is not the time, nor place for asinine comments like this. Families are mourning loved ones. Show some respect and decency.
I do not think it was a flying lesson, but a pleasure flight…why else would there be four passengers inside. ? I have done that, you get about five minute flight, thought it was really good.. So sad for the lives lost and the one in hospital…was he the pilot ?