Menu
02/04/2009
'No Hope' For Remaining Helicopter Crash Crew
Police searching for a further eight passengers feared to be dead following a helicopter crash off the coast of Scotland have admitted they do not expect to find any survivors.
The bodies of eight people killed when the Bond Super Puma plunged into the sea 14 miles off the Aberdeenshire coast on Wednesday afternoon, arrived in the port. An extensive search for the remaining crew members started again at first light.
Sixteen passengers had been on board the aircraft which was flying back from the BP Miller platform, 168 miles north east of Aberdeen, when it crashed at around 2pm on Wednesday.
The 15 people have been named by Grampian Police. One person has still to be named.
The KCA Deutag employees killed were Brian Barkley, 30, of Aberdeen; Vernon Elrick, 41, of Aberdeen; Leslie Taylor, 41, of Kintore, Aberdeenshire; Nairn Ferrier, 40, of Dundee; Gareth Hughes, 53, of Angus; David Rae, 63, of Dumfries; Raymond Doyle, 57, of Cumbernauld; James John Edwards, 33, of Liverpool; and Nolan Carl Goble, 44, of Norwich.
The other named victims were James Costello, 24, of Aberdeen, who was contracted to Production Services Network (PSN); Alex Dallas, 62, of Aberdeen, who worked for Sparrows Offshore Services; Warren Mitchell, 38, of Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire, who worked for Weatherford UK; and Stuart Wood, 27, of Aberdeen, who worked for Expro North Sea Ltd.
Colin Menzies, from Grampian Police, said: "We know that there are vessels in the area continuing to search, but in the cold light of day we must face the grim reality that... the entire crew of 16 people have tragically been lost.
He added that half those on board were from Aberdeenshire and the impact on the local community was "tangible".
Four of the other members were from other parts of Scotland with another three from other parts of Britain, and one from Riga in Latvia.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown expressed his condolences to the families of the victims.
Scotland’s First Minister also said: "This is a terrible tragedy, and our thoughts are with the families and their loved ones. The Miller field is one that’s very well known to me, as are many of the people who work on it.
"Our prayers are with the families, and we are also deeply grateful to our emergency and rescue services, although it looks as if their efforts are of no avail on this occasion.
"Tragically, we may be looking at all 16 souls lost."
A spokeswoman for BAA Aberdeen said it was understood the helicopter had issued a mayday near Peterhead then ditched into the water.
The incident comes just six weeks after a Bond Super Puma with 18 people on board ditched in the North Sea in February.
All those on board survived the crash on 18 February.
Meanwhile, a search for a training instructor and a student pilot belived killed in a helicopter crash in the Bog of Allen in Co Kildare, Ireland has today located wreckage.
The Coastguard rescue helicopter from Dublin Airport spotted the wreckage in an isolated area of bog near the Kildare-Meath border at around midday today.
The Irish Aviation Authority is co-ordinated an investigation into the crash.
See: Helicopter Crash Claims Two In Kildare
(JM/BMcC)
The bodies of eight people killed when the Bond Super Puma plunged into the sea 14 miles off the Aberdeenshire coast on Wednesday afternoon, arrived in the port. An extensive search for the remaining crew members started again at first light.
Sixteen passengers had been on board the aircraft which was flying back from the BP Miller platform, 168 miles north east of Aberdeen, when it crashed at around 2pm on Wednesday.
The 15 people have been named by Grampian Police. One person has still to be named.
The KCA Deutag employees killed were Brian Barkley, 30, of Aberdeen; Vernon Elrick, 41, of Aberdeen; Leslie Taylor, 41, of Kintore, Aberdeenshire; Nairn Ferrier, 40, of Dundee; Gareth Hughes, 53, of Angus; David Rae, 63, of Dumfries; Raymond Doyle, 57, of Cumbernauld; James John Edwards, 33, of Liverpool; and Nolan Carl Goble, 44, of Norwich.
The other named victims were James Costello, 24, of Aberdeen, who was contracted to Production Services Network (PSN); Alex Dallas, 62, of Aberdeen, who worked for Sparrows Offshore Services; Warren Mitchell, 38, of Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire, who worked for Weatherford UK; and Stuart Wood, 27, of Aberdeen, who worked for Expro North Sea Ltd.
Colin Menzies, from Grampian Police, said: "We know that there are vessels in the area continuing to search, but in the cold light of day we must face the grim reality that... the entire crew of 16 people have tragically been lost.
He added that half those on board were from Aberdeenshire and the impact on the local community was "tangible".
Four of the other members were from other parts of Scotland with another three from other parts of Britain, and one from Riga in Latvia.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown expressed his condolences to the families of the victims.
Scotland’s First Minister also said: "This is a terrible tragedy, and our thoughts are with the families and their loved ones. The Miller field is one that’s very well known to me, as are many of the people who work on it.
"Our prayers are with the families, and we are also deeply grateful to our emergency and rescue services, although it looks as if their efforts are of no avail on this occasion.
"Tragically, we may be looking at all 16 souls lost."
A spokeswoman for BAA Aberdeen said it was understood the helicopter had issued a mayday near Peterhead then ditched into the water.
The incident comes just six weeks after a Bond Super Puma with 18 people on board ditched in the North Sea in February.
All those on board survived the crash on 18 February.
Meanwhile, a search for a training instructor and a student pilot belived killed in a helicopter crash in the Bog of Allen in Co Kildare, Ireland has today located wreckage.
The Coastguard rescue helicopter from Dublin Airport spotted the wreckage in an isolated area of bog near the Kildare-Meath border at around midday today.
The Irish Aviation Authority is co-ordinated an investigation into the crash.
See: Helicopter Crash Claims Two In Kildare
(JM/BMcC)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
01 April 2009
Eight Feared Dead As Helicopter Ditches In Sea
At least eight people are feared dead after a helicopter ditched into the North Sea off the coast of Scotland. The Bond Super Puma aircraft was returning from an oil platform just before 2pm when it went down 35 miles from Aberdeenshire. At least 16 people were thought to be onboard.
Eight Feared Dead As Helicopter Ditches In Sea
At least eight people are feared dead after a helicopter ditched into the North Sea off the coast of Scotland. The Bond Super Puma aircraft was returning from an oil platform just before 2pm when it went down 35 miles from Aberdeenshire. At least 16 people were thought to be onboard.
13 August 2014
Police Appeal For Witnesses To Fatal Aberdeen Crash
Police in Aberdeen have reported the death of a 26-year-old man in a car crash on the A956 Charleston flyover. The man died when a Vauxhall Corsa, that he was a passenger in, collided with a Ford focus at about 18:00 on Tuesday. A woman and four-year-old boy were also injured in the crash. The woman has been described as in a serious condition.
Police Appeal For Witnesses To Fatal Aberdeen Crash
Police in Aberdeen have reported the death of a 26-year-old man in a car crash on the A956 Charleston flyover. The man died when a Vauxhall Corsa, that he was a passenger in, collided with a Ford focus at about 18:00 on Tuesday. A woman and four-year-old boy were also injured in the crash. The woman has been described as in a serious condition.
12 November 2014
Police Release CCTV Images Of Missing Aberdeen Man
Police searching for a missing Aberdeen man have released CCTV footage capture on the day he was last seen. Shaun Richie has been missing since Friday 31st October, when he was last seen with friends at a remote woodland area near Strichen. Police have released image from earlier that same day, when Mr Richie was in Fraserburgh.
Police Release CCTV Images Of Missing Aberdeen Man
Police searching for a missing Aberdeen man have released CCTV footage capture on the day he was last seen. Shaun Richie has been missing since Friday 31st October, when he was last seen with friends at a remote woodland area near Strichen. Police have released image from earlier that same day, when Mr Richie was in Fraserburgh.
03 July 2013
Cyclists Killed On Charity Ride Named
The cyclists who were knocked over and killed while on a charity bike ride have been named as Andrew McMenigall (48) and Toby Wallace (36). The two men were killed when they were struck by a lorry on the A30 in Cornwall on Tuesday. They had been riding to raise money for cancer charity, the Kristen Scott Memorial Trust.
Cyclists Killed On Charity Ride Named
The cyclists who were knocked over and killed while on a charity bike ride have been named as Andrew McMenigall (48) and Toby Wallace (36). The two men were killed when they were struck by a lorry on the A30 in Cornwall on Tuesday. They had been riding to raise money for cancer charity, the Kristen Scott Memorial Trust.
27 April 2009
Super Puma's Return To BP Operations
Oil firm BP has resumed its use of Super Puma helicopters today, following the North Sea crash in which 16 people died. Earlier this month, the aircraft were grounded by the European Aviation Safety Agency to allow safety inspections after the AS3332L2 model crashed on April 1.
Super Puma's Return To BP Operations
Oil firm BP has resumed its use of Super Puma helicopters today, following the North Sea crash in which 16 people died. Earlier this month, the aircraft were grounded by the European Aviation Safety Agency to allow safety inspections after the AS3332L2 model crashed on April 1.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
