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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Helicopter ditches in North Sea | Helicopter ditches in North Sea |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A helicopter has ditched in the North Sea off the coast of Scotland. | |
| About 16 people were believed to be on board the Bond Super Puma helicopter. Aberdeen Coastguard said a major rescue operation was under way. | |
| The incident happened about 35 miles east of Crimond in Aberdeenshire at about 1400 BST. | The incident happened about 35 miles east of Crimond in Aberdeenshire at about 1400 BST. |
| The operation includes two RAF rescue helicopters and a Nimrod, as well as two lifeboats. Fishing boats are also in the area. | The operation includes two RAF rescue helicopters and a Nimrod, as well as two lifeboats. Fishing boats are also in the area. |
| Helicopter operator Bond confirmed one of its aircraft was involved in the incident. | |
| 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. | |
| "Aberdeen Coastguard have begun broadcasting a mayday signal into the area. RNLI lifeboats from Peterhead and Fraserburgh are heading for the scene now. | |
| "It is understood that there are 16 people on board the aircraft." | |
| 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. |