This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6214283.stm

The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Helicopter tragedy victims named Helicopter tragedy victims named
(30 minutes later)
Six men killed in a helicopter crash over the Morecambe Bay gas field off the Lancashire coast have been named.Six men killed in a helicopter crash over the Morecambe Bay gas field off the Lancashire coast have been named.
Passengers Robert Warburton from Heysham, Leslie Ahmed from South Shields, John Shaw from Kirkcaldy and Alfred Neasham from Durham were killed.Passengers Robert Warburton from Heysham, Leslie Ahmed from South Shields, John Shaw from Kirkcaldy and Alfred Neasham from Durham were killed.
Pilots Stephen Potton, from Blackpool and Simon Foddering from Preston also died, and passenger Keith Smith from Stockton-on-Tees, is still missing. Pilots Stephen Potton from Blackpool and Simon Foddering from Preston also died, and passenger Keith Smith from Stockton-on-Tees is still missing.
The wreckage and helicopter's data recorder have not yet been recovered.The wreckage and helicopter's data recorder have not yet been recovered.
A rescue operation was launched after the Eurocopter AS365N carrying seven people came down 24 miles offshore. Traumatised witness
The aircraft took off from Blackpool Airport and was ferrying Centrica staff from gas platforms in the bay. The helicopter, which took off from Blackpool Airport, was on a routine flight between rigs for gas firm Centrica when it crashed into the sea 24 miles off the coast on Wednesday evening.
Two crew members and five rig workers were aboard. RAF rescue helicopters, coastguard and RNLI crews, and a rig support vessel joined the search. Lancashire Police say the helicopter, a Eurocopter AS365N, had flown to two gas rigs, and reared to the left and crashed 500 yards away from a third rig. No emergency call was received.
Emergency phone numbers for relatives to contact - 01772 410772/410774. Three people on the third platform witnessed the incident, and one of them who was due to get on the helicopter was described by police as "traumatised" by what they witnessed.
Detective Superintendent Mick Gradwell told BBC News 24: "There was a very quick rescue response because people were on the drilling platform waiting to be picked up and they actually saw the helicopter ditch in the sea." Keith Mullett, from helicopter company CHC Scotia, said both pilots were experienced.
The witnesses were being brought to Blackpool airport so the police, the Civil Aviation Authority and other agencies could "piece together" what had happened, he added. Investigation launched
Families contacted Centrica's Sam Laidlaw said: "Our priority is to provide as much support as we can. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families at this terrible time."
The helicopter, operated by industry transport firm CHC, left Blackpool at about 1800 GMT. The Air Accident Investigations Branch (AAIB) has launched an investigation into the incident.
Det Supt Gradwell said conditions were cold but it was not very foggy when it crashed some 40 minutes later. A rescue operation was launched involving RAF rescue helicopters from RAF Valley and RAF Leconfield, coastguard and RNLI crews, and a rig support vessel joined the search.
It had picked up passengers at two platforms and was heading for a third.
He said police were unaware of any emergency calls having being received.
RAF rescue helicopters joined the search
The MP for Morecambe and Lunesdale, Geraldine Smith, said: "It's been a horrific accident and our thoughts and prayers are obviously with the family and friends of those who have lost their lives.
"I just can't begin to imagine what they would be going though at this time, but we've still got approximately 60 people working out on the Morecambe Bay gas fields and they will be feeling pretty traumatised," she added.
Centrica said it is contacting all families connected with its Morecambe Bay gas fields.
Relatives of Centrica employees can call a dedicated helpline on 01524 864585.
The rescue is being co-ordinated by Liverpool coastguards and lifeboats from Fleetwood and Barrow have been sent to the scene.
Rescue helicopters from RAF Valley and RAF Leconfield were called out.
Gas was discovered in the area in 1974 and extraction operations began 11 years later. There are about 143 Centrica staff working on the platforms at any one time.Gas was discovered in the area in 1974 and extraction operations began 11 years later. There are about 143 Centrica staff working on the platforms at any one time.
Have you been affected by this incident? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below.Have you been affected by this incident? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below.
If you have any pictures or moving footage you can send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 07725 100 100If you have any pictures or moving footage you can send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 07725 100 100
Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and videoClick here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video
Name:
 Name: