News, South of England
The family of a couple who died in a helicopter crash on the Isle of Wight have said they are “heartbroken and struggling to cope with the loss”.
Justyna Czoska, 52, and Wojtek Kowalkowski, 49, were among three people who died when the aircraft came down during a training flight near Shanklin on Monday morning.
A fourth occupant of the helicopter remains seriously injured in hospital in Southampton.
Ms Czoska’s family have launched a fundraising appeal to help repatriate the couple to Poland to be buried.
Jacob Butler said he launched the fundraiser after his partner, Julia, lost her “beloved mum and her partner” in the tragedy.
In a post written in English and Polish, he said: “This sudden and devastating event has left all us heartbroken and struggling to cope with the loss.
“We are now trying to bring them both back to Poland so they can be laid to rest with their families, in the place they called home.
“The cost of repatriation, funeral arrangements, and travel is more than we can manage alone, and we are asking for support during this incredibly difficult time.”
Witnesses reported the aircraft spiralling before crashing in a field alongside the A3020 at 09:20 BST.
One person was airlifted to the major trauma centre at University Hospital Southampton, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said.
A spokesman for operator Northumbria Helicopters said G-OCLV – a Robinson R44 II – had “departed from Sandown Airport at approximately 09:00, was carrying four passengers on board including the pilot, and was undertaking a flying lesson”.
The identity of the third victim has not yet been confirmed.
