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| Eight dead as helicopter crashes | Eight dead as helicopter crashes |
| (30 minutes later) | |
| 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. |
| A major search was launched after the Bond Super Puma came down about 15 miles off Peterhead on the Aberdeenshire coast, at about 1400 BST. | A major search was launched after the Bond Super Puma came down about 15 miles off Peterhead on the Aberdeenshire coast, at about 1400 BST. |
| Police later said eight bodies had been recovered and the eight others were still missing. | Police later said eight bodies had been recovered and the eight others were still missing. |
| The crashed helicopter was returning from BP's Miller field, 168 miles north east of Aberdeen. | The crashed helicopter was returning from BP's Miller field, 168 miles north east of Aberdeen. |
| RAF spokesman Michael Mulford said three helicopters and a Nimrod had been sent to the scene. | RAF spokesman Michael Mulford said three helicopters and a Nimrod had been sent to the scene. |
| He said: "We understand there was a mayday call involving this helicopter and then silence. | He said: "We understand there was a mayday call involving this helicopter and then silence. |
| "That is an ominous combination." | "That is an ominous combination." |
| 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 crash comes less than two months after a Super Puma helicopter with 18 people on board ditched in the Etap field 125 miles east of Aberdeen. | |
| All those on board survived the crash on 18 February. | |
| Helicopter operator Bond confirmed one of its aircraft was involved in the latest incident. It carried 14 passengers and two crew. | |
| Two liferafts were spotted in the water, and were both overturned. All on board would have been wearing survival suits. | Two liferafts were spotted in the water, and were both overturned. All on board would have been wearing survival suits. |
| Head of fleet operations at the RNLI, Hugh Fogarty, said weather conditions in the area were believed to be good. | 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. | 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. | "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." | "The survival time, with the proper equipment, could be a number of hours. We are certainly not giving up hope yet." |
| 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, cancelled a planned trip to the Scotland's World Cup qualifier against Iceland to go to the Grampian Police headquarters in Aberdeen. | |
| Aviation expert Jim Ferguson on the safety record of the Bond Super Puma' | Aviation expert Jim Ferguson on the safety record of the Bond Super Puma' |
| Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy said: "My thoughts are entirely with the families and friends of those involved in this incident, who are having to come to terms with the loss of their loved ones. | Scottish Secretary Jim Murphy said: "My thoughts are entirely with the families and friends of those involved in this incident, who are having to come to terms with the loss of their loved ones. |
| "The North Sea safety regime is one of the best in the world but a tragic incident such as this brings the human cost into sharp focus." | "The North Sea safety regime is one of the best in the world but a tragic incident such as this brings the human cost into sharp focus." |
| 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." |
| An NHS Grampian spokeswoman said the major incident plan, which had been launched at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, had now been stood down. | An NHS Grampian spokeswoman said the major incident plan, which had been launched at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, had now been stood down. |
| "We are not expecting anyone in at this moment in time," she said. | "We are not expecting anyone in at this moment in time," she said. |
| "We will reassess that situation if it changes." | "We will reassess that situation if it changes." |
| 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. |
| 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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