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Helicopter rescuers 'fear worst' Helicopter rescuers 'fear worst'
(20 minutes later)
The search of the North Sea following a fatal helicopter accident has resumed but the coastguard has admitted rescuers "fear the worst".The search of the North Sea following a fatal helicopter accident has resumed but the coastguard has admitted rescuers "fear the worst".
Sixteen people, returning from a BP oilfield, are feared dead after the crash off Aberdeenshire on Wednesday.Sixteen people, returning from a BP oilfield, are feared dead after the crash off Aberdeenshire on Wednesday.
The bodies of eight people have been brought ashore after the Super Puma came down about 15 miles off Peterhead. The bodies of eight people have been recovered after the Bond Super Puma came down about 15 miles off Peterhead.
A small amount of debris from the aircraft has also been found and brought back to Aberdeen. 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.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.
Super Puma firm, Bond, said it had an excellent safety recordSuper Puma firm, Bond, said it had an excellent safety record
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 and 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 and unfortunately as we look towards the search this morning, we can only fear the worst."
A statement from BP said the company had decided temporarily to stop using the Bond helicopter fleet.
The statement read: "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.
"And Bond Helicopters have decided to suspend all passenger flights using Super Pumas for today. This affects eights flights today."
'Grave concerns''Grave concerns'
Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond said the outlook was "extremely bleak".Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond said the outlook was "extremely bleak".
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.
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.
Alex Salmond described the search for survivors as "extremely bleak"Alex Salmond described the search for survivors as "extremely bleak"
The boat was joined by lifeboats, RAF helicopters and a Nimrod reconnaissance aircraft.The boat was joined by lifeboats, RAF helicopters and a Nimrod reconnaissance aircraft.
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.
Grampian Police said they had "increasing and grave concerns" for those still missing.
Brian Taylor of the drilling contractor KCA Deutag said he believed ten of his crew were on board, nine from the UK and one from Europe.Brian Taylor of the drilling contractor KCA Deutag said he believed ten of his crew were on board, nine from the UK and one from Europe.
Helicopter operator Bond confirmed one of its aircraft was involved.
It carried 14 passengers and two crew.
Previous crashPrevious crash
Mr 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.Mr 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."
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.
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.
Offshore union RMT called for the grounding of the model of helicopter until it was clear what caused it to come down.Offshore union RMT called for the grounding of the model of helicopter until it was clear what caused it to come down.
Offshore organiser Jake Molloy said: "Reports indicate that today's crash was the result of a catastrophic failure in the aircraft and it would make sense for the model involved to be grounded until it is clear what caused it."Offshore organiser Jake Molloy said: "Reports indicate that today's crash was the result of a catastrophic failure in the aircraft and it would make sense for the model involved to be grounded until it is clear what caused it."
Bond representative Bill Munro said the Gloucestershire-based company had "every confidence in the Super Puma family", and that its 700 helicopters working worldwide had an "excellent safety record".Bond representative Bill Munro said the Gloucestershire-based company had "every confidence in the Super Puma family", and that its 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.
The crash happened about 40 miles north east of AberdeenThe crash happened about 40 miles north east of Aberdeen
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "This has been a tragic day in the North Sea.Prime Minister Gordon Brown said: "This has been a tragic day in the North Sea.
"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."
Energy secretary Ed Miliband said: "This is a tragic reminder that workers in the North Sea do their jobs in the most difficult and challenging circumstances."
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.
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.