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Two dead in Army helicopter crash | Two dead in Army helicopter crash |
(20 minutes later) | |
Two people have died after an Army helicopter crashed in Devon. | Two people have died after an Army helicopter crashed in Devon. |
The Squirrel helicopter came down in dense woodland near Kingscott, Torrington, at 1545 BST. An air exclusion zone has been put in place. | |
One crew member was pronounced dead at the scene. The other was flown to North Devon District Hospital but died later from his injuries. | One crew member was pronounced dead at the scene. The other was flown to North Devon District Hospital but died later from his injuries. |
An eyewitness told BBC News the training helicopter hit power lines before crashing. | An eyewitness told BBC News the training helicopter hit power lines before crashing. |
It is believed the helicopter was on a routine training exercise. | |
Devon and Cornwall Police have sealed off the crash site to await the arrival of an army investigation unit which will lead the inquiry. | |
Local farmer Paul Herininan said two helicopters were operating closely together when one appeared to hit a power line. | |
Other eyewitnesses have reported seeing "a great blue crash" | |
This has not been confirmed by investigators or the Ministry of Defence (MoD). | |
Power cut | Power cut |
An MoD spokesperson said: "Sadly, we can confirm that both service personnel on board have died. Our thoughts are with their families and friends at this difficult time. | An MoD spokesperson said: "Sadly, we can confirm that both service personnel on board have died. Our thoughts are with their families and friends at this difficult time. |
"The next of kin are currently being informed. We will confirm further details once this process has been completed." | "The next of kin are currently being informed. We will confirm further details once this process has been completed." |
About 12,000 homes in the area lost electricity supplies at about the time of the accident, although it is not known if this was linked to the crash. | About 12,000 homes in the area lost electricity supplies at about the time of the accident, although it is not known if this was linked to the crash. |
The Squirrel is used to train pilots in all three of the UK's armed services | The Squirrel is used to train pilots in all three of the UK's armed services |
Western Power Distribution said it had switched to an alternative supply, but was unable to confirm if the incidents were related. | Western Power Distribution said it had switched to an alternative supply, but was unable to confirm if the incidents were related. |
An RAF rescue helicopter from RMB Chivenor was scrambled and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue sent crews to the scene. | An RAF rescue helicopter from RMB Chivenor was scrambled and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue sent crews to the scene. |
Roads close to the crash site have been closed and a two nautical mile air exclusion zone put in place. | Roads close to the crash site have been closed and a two nautical mile air exclusion zone put in place. |
There have been other fatal crashes involving the French-made Squirrel helicopter, including one which killed the former world rally champion Colin McRae in September 2007. | There have been other fatal crashes involving the French-made Squirrel helicopter, including one which killed the former world rally champion Colin McRae in September 2007. |
In January of the same year, two RAF Squirrels crashed in Shropshire killing a flying instructor and injuring three other people. | In January of the same year, two RAF Squirrels crashed in Shropshire killing a flying instructor and injuring three other people. |
The two-seat training helicopter, brought into service in the mid 1990s, is used to instruct pilots from all three armed services in the UK. | The two-seat training helicopter, brought into service in the mid 1990s, is used to instruct pilots from all three armed services in the UK. |
Are you in the area? Did you see the helicopter come down? You can send us your experiences using the form below: | Are you in the area? Did you see the helicopter come down? You can send us your experiences using the form below: |
You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via mobile please dial 61124. | You can send pictures and video to: yourpics@bbc.co.uk or to send via mobile please dial 61124. |
If you have a large file you can upload here. | If you have a large file you can upload here. |
Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | Do not endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |
Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |