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'No hope' of helicopter survivors 'No hope' of helicopter survivors
(9 minutes later)
There is no hope of finding any survivors after a helicopter crashed into the North Sea, police have said.There is no hope of finding any survivors after a helicopter crashed into the North Sea, police have said.
Eight bodies were found after the Bond Super Puma came down 14 miles off the Aberdeenshire coast on Wednesday.Eight bodies were found after the Bond Super Puma came down 14 miles off the Aberdeenshire coast on Wednesday.
Twelve of the 16 people on board are from Scotland - eight in Grampian - three are from England and Wales and one is from elsewhere in Europe.Twelve of the 16 people on board are from Scotland - eight in Grampian - three are from England and Wales and one is from elsewhere in Europe.
Grampian Police Assistant Chief Constable Colin Menzies said: "The grim reality is the crew has been lost."Grampian Police Assistant Chief Constable Colin Menzies said: "The grim reality is the crew has been lost."
The search is now being treated as a recovery operation.The search is now being treated as a recovery operation.
Bodies arrived in Aberdeen after the helicopter tragedyBodies arrived in Aberdeen after the helicopter tragedy
BP has announced it will temporarily stop using Bond helicopters and Bond has grounded its Super Puma fleet.BP has announced it will temporarily stop using Bond helicopters and Bond has grounded its Super Puma fleet.
The aircraft was returning from oil firm BP's Miller oilfield, 168 miles north east of Aberdeen, when it crashed at about 1400 BST on Wednesday about 14 miles off Peterhead in Aberdeenshire.The aircraft was returning from oil firm BP's Miller oilfield, 168 miles north east of Aberdeen, when it crashed at about 1400 BST on Wednesday about 14 miles off Peterhead in Aberdeenshire.
Susan Todd, of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, said: "This morning the search has resumed at the scene of the incident. The search area has grown overnight and is quite extensive - some 30 sq nautical miles.Susan Todd, of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, said: "This morning the search has resumed at the scene of the incident. The search area has grown overnight and is quite extensive - some 30 sq nautical miles.
"It was an extremely major search involving, at its peak, between 15 and 20 merchant vessels, three rescue helicopters, two lifeboats and a Nimrod fixed wing aircraft."It was an extremely major search involving, at its peak, between 15 and 20 merchant vessels, three rescue helicopters, two lifeboats and a Nimrod fixed wing aircraft.
"The weather conditions were extremely favourable for us searching and therefore the quality of search was extremely good."The weather conditions were extremely favourable for us searching and therefore the quality of search was extremely good.
"Even in favourable conditions the North Sea is a very harsh environment."Even in favourable conditions the North Sea is a very harsh environment.
"The sea temperatures at this time of year are approximately eight degrees and people's survivability chances are reduced. Unfortunately as we look towards the search this morning, we can only fear the worst.""The sea temperatures at this time of year are approximately eight degrees and people's survivability chances are reduced. Unfortunately as we look towards the search this morning, we can only fear the worst."
Susan Todd of HM Coastguard said the search will continueSusan Todd of HM Coastguard said the search will continue
BP said it had decided to temporarily stop using the Bond helicopter fleet.BP said it had decided to temporarily stop using the Bond helicopter fleet.
It said: "To allow Bond Offshore Helicopters and their staff the time to reflect upon the loss of two of their colleagues, BP has decided to discontinue passenger operations using Bond with immediate effect.It said: "To allow Bond Offshore Helicopters and their staff the time to reflect upon the loss of two of their colleagues, BP has decided to discontinue passenger operations using Bond with immediate effect.
"Alternative arrangements have been put in place to cover BP's offshore helicopter operations."Alternative arrangements have been put in place to cover BP's offshore helicopter operations.
"And Bond Helicopters have decided to suspend all passenger flights using Super Pumas for today. This affects eights flights today.""And Bond Helicopters have decided to suspend all passenger flights using Super Pumas for today. This affects eights flights today."
A spokesman for Bond said: "We appreciate BP's action and we will be working with them to resume services. We have every confidence in the Super Puma."A spokesman for Bond said: "We appreciate BP's action and we will be working with them to resume services. We have every confidence in the Super Puma."
Conditions at the time of the crash were said to be calm and sunny and it is understood a Mayday message was issued from the helicopter before it hit the water.Conditions at the time of the crash were said to be calm and sunny and it is understood a Mayday message was issued from the helicopter before it hit the water.
Brought ashoreBrought ashore
The crew of a support vessel saw the crash and sent a boat out but only wreckage was found.The crew of a support vessel saw the crash and sent a boat out but only wreckage was found.
The eight bodies were recovered from the water by the support vessel, Caledonia Victory.The eight bodies were recovered from the water by the support vessel, Caledonia Victory.
Debris from the wreckage of the helicopter was brought ashore by lifeboat crews late on Wednesday night.Debris from the wreckage of the helicopter was brought ashore by lifeboat crews late on Wednesday night.
Brian Taylor of the drilling contractor KCA Deutag said he believed 10 of his crew were on board.Brian Taylor of the drilling contractor KCA Deutag said he believed 10 of his crew were on board.
And Production Services Network (PSN) said one PSN worker was on board. PSN chief executive officer Bob Keiller said: "Our thoughts are with all of the families affected by this tragedy."And Production Services Network (PSN) said one PSN worker was on board. PSN chief executive officer Bob Keiller said: "Our thoughts are with all of the families affected by this tragedy."
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) Helicopter crash: Your reaction 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) Helicopter crash: Your reaction
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said its inspectors were travelling to the scene of the crash.The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said its inspectors were travelling to the scene of the crash.
Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond 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.Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond 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."
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said it had been a "tragic day" in the North Sea.Prime Minister Gordon Brown said it had been a "tragic day" in the North Sea.
The Queen sent a private letter of condolence, to be conveyed by the Lord Lieutenant of the City of Aberdeen to the families of lost loved ones, a Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said.The Queen sent a private letter of condolence, to be conveyed by the Lord Lieutenant of the City of Aberdeen to the families of lost loved ones, a Buckingham Palace spokeswoman said.
A book of condolences is being opened in Aberdeen for the victims of the helicopter crash. The book is available at the oil chapel at the Kirk of St Nicholas.A book of condolences is being opened in Aberdeen for the victims of the helicopter crash. The book is available at the oil chapel at the Kirk of St Nicholas.
'Dreadful tragedy''Dreadful tragedy'
Politicians will also pay tributes to those killed in the incident, during first minister's questions in the Scottish Parliament.
The Reverend Andrew Jolly, chaplain the UK oil and gas industry, said: "This is a dreadful tragedy to befall the industry. When incidents like this occur it affects everyone offshore and onshore. It also impacts upon the people of Aberdeen too.The Reverend Andrew Jolly, chaplain the UK oil and gas industry, said: "This is a dreadful tragedy to befall the industry. When incidents like this occur it affects everyone offshore and onshore. It also impacts upon the people of Aberdeen too.
"The oil chapel has been a place of comfort and solace for people from this industry for many years. It is the natural place for people to gravitate to in times of tragedy offshore. We are grateful to the staff of St Nicholas for making this possible."The oil chapel has been a place of comfort and solace for people from this industry for many years. It is the natural place for people to gravitate to in times of tragedy offshore. We are grateful to the staff of St Nicholas for making this possible.
"The families of those affected by this tragedy and the wider family of those who work offshore and onshore are in our thoughts and prayers"."The families of those affected by this tragedy and the wider family of those who work offshore and onshore are in our thoughts and prayers".
In February another Super Puma operated by BP crashed in the North Sea.In February another Super Puma operated by BP crashed in the North Sea.
On that occasion all 18 people on board survived when the helicopter ditched 125 miles east of Aberdeen.On that occasion all 18 people on board survived when the helicopter ditched 125 miles east of Aberdeen.
Experts have said the two incidents were different.Experts have said the two incidents were different.
Super Puma firm, Bond, said it had an excellent safety recordSuper Puma firm, Bond, said it had an excellent safety record
Offshore union RMT called for the grounding of the model of helicopter involved in the latest crash until it was clear what caused it to come down.Offshore union RMT called for the grounding of the model of helicopter involved in the latest crash until it was clear what caused it to come down.
Offshore organiser Jake Molloy said reports indicated that the incident had been the result of a "catastrophic failure" in the aircraft.Offshore organiser Jake Molloy said reports indicated that the incident had been the result of a "catastrophic failure" in the aircraft.
Bond representative Bill Munro said the Gloucestershire-based company's 700 helicopters working worldwide had an "excellent safety record".Bond representative Bill Munro said the Gloucestershire-based company's 700 helicopters working worldwide had an "excellent safety record".
He said he had no information to suggest a mechanical failure on the aircraft, and that it was "far too early to speculate" on the cause of the tragedy.He said he had no information to suggest a mechanical failure on the aircraft, and that it was "far too early to speculate" on the cause of the tragedy.
BP spokesman Bernard Looney said the company was co-operating fully with the authorities.BP spokesman Bernard Looney said the company was co-operating fully with the authorities.
An emergency telephone number was set up by BP for concerned relatives on 01224 836479.An emergency telephone number was set up by BP for concerned relatives on 01224 836479.