Three people have died and a fourth remains in hospital in a serious condition after a helicopter crashed in a field during a flying lesson on the Isle of Wight.
Four people, including the pilot, were in the aircraft, which crashed near Ventnor, the operator Northumbria Helicopters said. One person was airlifted to a major trauma centre at University Hospital Southampton, according to a Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance spokesperson.
“Our thoughts are with them, and everyone involved in today’s incident,” the spokesperson said.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary said in a statement: “We can confirm that three people have died following a helicopter crash on the Isle of Wight this morning.
“Four people in total were on board, with one person currently in hospital in a serious condition.
“At this time we are unable to provide further information about the people involved, as efforts continue to contact and support their families.”
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch said it has deployed a team and an investigation is underway. The cause has not yet been confirmed.
Aircraft G-OCLV left Sandown Airport airport at about 9am, the operator based at Newcastle International Airport said, adding that it is giving ”full cooperation” to the authorities. The aircraft is listed as a Robinson R44 II helicopter.
Northumbria Helicopters 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.”
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.
Just four minutes after the alert, at 9.28am, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance dispatchers deployed an air ambulance to the incident.
The road was closed off due to an influx of emergency vehicles at the scene and the public were urged to steer clear.
“The critical care team consisting of a doctor and a specialist paramedic are on scene working alongside our emergency service colleagues,” a spokeswoman for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance said.
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.
A major incident was declared to co-ordinate a multi-agency response but was later stood down.
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.
In a statement, Shanklin Town Council said: “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.”
Police cordoned off the site where the crash took place and air flights around the scene were restricted, according to media reports.
