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| Hopes fade for helicopter victims | Hopes fade for helicopter victims |
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| The chances of finding survivors from a helicopter which crashed in the North Sea off Aberdeenshire are fading, Scotland's first minister has said. | The chances of finding survivors from a helicopter which crashed in the North Sea off Aberdeenshire are fading, Scotland's first minister has said. |
| The bodies of eight people have been recovered after the Bond Super Puma came down about 15 miles of Peterhead, at about 1400 BST. | The bodies of eight people have been recovered after the Bond Super Puma came down about 15 miles of Peterhead, at about 1400 BST. |
| Alex Salmond said the outlook for the remaining eight people on board the helicopter was "extremely bleak". | Alex Salmond said the outlook for the remaining eight people on board the helicopter was "extremely bleak". |
| The coastguard said the search would continue despite fading hopes. | The coastguard said the search would continue despite fading hopes. |
| Susan Todd from the Coastguard told a media conference in Aberdeen: "We are now at the extreme of the survival chances for people wearing the suits that they would have. | Susan Todd from the Coastguard told a media conference in Aberdeen: "We are now at the extreme of the survival chances for people wearing the suits that they would have. |
| "We can never discount the will people have to live and we will continue searching." | "We can never discount the will people have to live and we will continue searching." |
| 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) |
| She said the conditions in the North Sea were "excellent" and "very benign" at the time of the crash. | She said the conditions in the North Sea were "excellent" and "very benign" at the time of the crash. |
| The helicopter was returning from BP's Miller field, 168 miles north east of Aberdeen, when it crashed. | The helicopter was returning from BP's Miller field, 168 miles north east of Aberdeen, when it crashed. |
| RAF spokesman Michael Mulford said: "We understand there was a mayday call involving this helicopter and then silence. | RAF spokesman Michael Mulford said: "We understand there was a mayday call involving this helicopter and then silence. |
| "That is an ominous combination." | "That is an ominous combination." |
| The first minister said: "It looks like we might be might be facing the second worst helicopter support incident in history, in terms of the number of fatalities. | The first minister said: "It looks like we might be might be facing the second worst helicopter support incident in history, in terms of the number of fatalities. |
| "Eight bodies have been recovered and I am afraid to say the outlook for the other eight people involved is extremely bleak." | "Eight bodies have been recovered and I am afraid to say the outlook for the other eight people involved is extremely bleak." |
| 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." | |
| 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. | 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. |
| The crash happened about 40 miles north east of Aberdeen | |
| All those on board survived the crash on 18 February. | 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. | 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. |
| Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "This has been a tragic day in the North sea and my thoughts are with the relatives of those who have lost their lives in this crash. | Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "This has been a tragic day in the North sea and my thoughts are with the relatives of those who have lost their lives in this crash. |
| "It is at times like these that we remember the risk and the dangers that people have to undergo working to meet our energy needs. | "It is at times like these that we remember the risk and the dangers that people have to undergo working to meet our energy needs. |
| "My thoughts are with the families and my thoughts are also with those who are doing their best to deal with the consequences of this crash, all those in our hospital services and all those who are on sea and on land trying to help those who have been under difficulty." | "My thoughts are with the families and my thoughts are also with those who are doing their best to deal with the consequences of this crash, all those in our hospital services and all those who are on sea and on land trying to help those who have been under difficulty." |
| The Queen sent a private letter of condolence to the families of the victims. | |
| The words of comfort will be conveyed by the Lord Lieutenant of the City of Aberdeen to the families of lost loved ones, a Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said. | |
| 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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