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Fatal Army aircraft crash probed Fatal Army aircraft crash probed
(about 8 hours later)
Investigators are trying to establish the cause of an Army helicopter crash that left two people dead in Devon.Investigators are trying to establish the cause of an Army helicopter crash that left two people dead in Devon.
Emergency crews were called after the Squirrel helicopter came down in dense woodland near Kingscott, Torrington, on Wednesday afternoon. Emergency crews were called after the Squirrel helicopter came down in dense woodland near Kingscott, Torrington, on Thursday afternoon.
One crew member died at the scene. The other was flown to North Devon District Hospital where he later died. Next of kin have been informed.One crew member died at the scene. The other was flown to North Devon District Hospital where he later died. Next of kin have been informed.
A witness told BBC News the aircraft hit power lines before crashing.A witness told BBC News the aircraft hit power lines before crashing.
It is believed the helicopter was taking part in a low-flying training exercise.It is believed the helicopter was taking part in a low-flying training exercise.
Power cutPower cut
Local farmer Paul Herniman said two helicopters were operating closely together when one appeared to hit a power line. He said that was followed by a loud noise.Local farmer Paul Herniman said two helicopters were operating closely together when one appeared to hit a power line. He said that was followed by a loud noise.
"It was like a gun going off," he told BBC News."It was like a gun going off," he told BBC News.
Other eyewitnesses have reported seeing "a great blue flash".Other eyewitnesses have reported seeing "a great blue flash".
An MoD spokesperson said: "Sadly, we can confirm that both service personnel on board have died."An MoD spokesperson said: "Sadly, we can confirm that both service personnel on board have died."
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.
Western Power Distribution said the crash caused damage to a 33,000-volt line and an 11,000-volt line.Western Power Distribution said the crash caused damage to a 33,000-volt line and an 11,000-volt line.
Supplies were restored to nearly all homes within 10 minutes.Supplies were restored to nearly all homes within 10 minutes.
An RAF rescue helicopter from RMB Chivenor and a Portland Coastguard helicopter were scrambled following the crash and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue sent crews to the scene.An RAF rescue helicopter from RMB Chivenor and a Portland Coastguard helicopter were scrambled following the crash and Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue sent crews to the scene.
Roads close to the crash site were closed and a two nautical mile air exclusion zone put in place.Roads close to the crash site were 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.
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.
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Debris from the helicopter is scattered in woodland at the crash siteDebris from the helicopter is scattered in woodland at the crash site