London (BN24) – Three people were killed and another was critically injured Monday after a helicopter crashed during a flying lesson on the Isle of Wight, prompting a large-scale emergency response and an air accident investigation.
Hampshire Police said officers were alerted at 9:24 a.m. to reports that a helicopter had come down in a field off Shanklin Road near Ventnor. Emergency crews, including the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, fire services, and paramedics, were dispatched to the scene.
The aircraft involved was confirmed by Northumbria Helicopters as a Robinson R44 II, registered as G-OCLV. The company said the helicopter had taken off from Sandown Airport shortly after 9 a.m. with four people on board, including the pilot, for a training flight.
Authorities confirmed that three of the occupants were pronounced dead at the scene. The fourth, who survived, was airlifted to University Hospital Southampton in critical condition by the air ambulance’s critical care team.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said it had launched an inquiry into the crash and dispatched a team to examine the wreckage. Police closed Shanklin Road and urged residents and tourists to avoid the area.
Witnesses described a terrifying scene as the aircraft spiraled before impact. Leigh Goldsmith, who was driving nearby, told the Isle of Wight County Press that she saw the helicopter “spiralling” before crashing into a hedge.
Darren Toogood, editor of the Island Echo, told Sky News the crash occurred along a busy high-speed road that sees heavy traffic, especially during the bank holiday. “It appears no vehicles were involved, which is incredible, given how busy this road would have been this morning,” he said.
Local MP Joe Robertson said the tragedy had shocked the community. “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.”
Northumbria Helicopters said it is fully cooperating with authorities as investigations continue.
News.sky.com
