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| Eight dead as helicopter crashes | Eight dead as helicopter crashes |
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| At least eight people have died after a helicopter with 16 people on board crashed into the North Sea. | At least eight people have died after a helicopter with 16 people on board crashed into the North Sea. |
| The Bond Super Puma came down about 13 miles off Crimond on the Aberdeenshire coast, just before 1400 BST. A major search for survivors was launched. | The Bond Super Puma came down about 13 miles off Crimond on the Aberdeenshire coast, just before 1400 BST. A major search for survivors was launched. |
| Police later said eight bodies had been found, with the eight others on board missing. | |
| The crashed helicopter was returning from BP's Miller field, 168 miles north east of Aberdeen. | |
| Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond said: "For the families concerned, it's an appalling tragedy and also for everybody who's worried at this moment, about whether their loved ones have been caught up in this tragedy. | Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond said: "For the families concerned, it's an appalling tragedy and also for everybody who's worried at this moment, about whether their loved ones have been caught up in this tragedy. |
| "The whole nation expresses its condolences for those who have been tragically killed in this disaster." | "The whole nation expresses its condolences for those who have been tragically killed in this disaster." |
| Mr Salmond, who represents north east constituencies, was travelling up to the area. | |
| Helicopter operator Bond confirmed one of its aircraft was involved in the incident. There was 14 passengers and two crew. | Helicopter operator Bond confirmed one of its aircraft was involved in the incident. There was 14 passengers and two crew. |
| The search operation includes helicopters and an RAF Nimrod. | |
| Two liferafts were spotted in the water, and were both overturned. All on board were wearing survival suits. | |
| SUPER PUMA AS 332L Four-bladed helicopter used primarily by offshore oil firmsCapacity: Up to 25 passengersCrew: 2Max. speed: 278 km/h (172.7mph)Range: 776 km (482 miles) | SUPER PUMA AS 332L Four-bladed helicopter used primarily by offshore oil firmsCapacity: Up to 25 passengersCrew: 2Max. speed: 278 km/h (172.7mph)Range: 776 km (482 miles) |
| The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said a supply vessel called Normand Aurora had put its fast response boat into the water and was looking for survivors. | |
| "Two helicopters from the RAF have been scrambled to the scene and a Nimrod marine patrol aircraft has been diverted to the area," said a spokesman. | "Two helicopters from the RAF have been scrambled to the scene and a Nimrod marine patrol aircraft has been diverted to the area," said a spokesman. |
| "Aberdeen Coastguard have begun broadcasting a mayday signal into the area. RNLI lifeboats from Peterhead and Fraserburgh are heading for the scene now." | "Aberdeen Coastguard have begun broadcasting a mayday signal into the area. RNLI lifeboats from Peterhead and Fraserburgh are heading for the scene now." |
| BP said: "Emergency teams are responding and the relevant authorities have been informed. | BP said: "Emergency teams are responding and the relevant authorities have been informed. |
| "BP's onshore emergency team has been mobilised and are assisting in the co-ordination of support services." | "BP's onshore emergency team has been mobilised and are assisting in the co-ordination of support services." |
| Jake Molloy of the OILC union said: "When helicopters hit the water hard it is inevitable you will have fatalities. No amount of training can prepare you for a heavy landing in the sea. | Jake Molloy of the OILC union said: "When helicopters hit the water hard it is inevitable you will have fatalities. No amount of training can prepare you for a heavy landing in the sea. |
| "These aircraft are designed with lightweight equipment and heavy engines on top. They are simply not designed for going into the sea hard." | "These aircraft are designed with lightweight equipment and heavy engines on top. They are simply not designed for going into the sea hard." |
| Aviation expert Jim Ferguson on the safety record of the Bond Super Puma | |
| An NHS Grampian spokesperson said: "Our major incident plan is in place and the hospital is well prepared and ready to deal with this incident. | |
| "Additional staff are available if required and we will continue to assess the situation to ensure that we can respond in whatever way we need to." | |
| Head of fleet operations at the RNLI, Hugh Fogarty, said weather conditions in the area were believed to be good. | |
| He added that the temperature in the North Sea was thought to be around 5C at this time of year. | |
| "People who travel on these helicopters to and from the rigs wear proper immersion suits," he added. | |
| "The survival time, with the proper equipment, could be a number of hours. We are certainly not giving up hope yet." | |
| Weather forecasters said conditions were relatively good, explaining there was little cloud, winds were light and the sea state was good, with waves of only half a metre. | Weather forecasters said conditions were relatively good, explaining there was little cloud, winds were light and the sea state was good, with waves of only half a metre. |
| An emergency telephone number has been set up by BP for concerned relatives - on 01224 836479. | An emergency telephone number has been set up by BP for concerned relatives - on 01224 836479. |
| The crash comes less than two months after a helicopter with 18 people on board ditched in the Etap field 125 miles east of Aberdeen. | The crash comes less than two months after a helicopter with 18 people on board ditched in the Etap field 125 miles east of Aberdeen. |
| All those on board the Super Puma survived the crash on 18 February. | All those on board the Super Puma survived the crash on 18 February. |
| Have you been affected by this incident? You can contact us using the form below. | Have you been affected by this incident? You can contact us using the form below. |
| Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures to yourpics@bbc.co.uk, text them to 61124 or you have a large file you can upload here. |
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