Air crash victim search abandoned

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The search for the body of a Teesside gas rig worker killed in a helicopter crash has been officially called off.

Keith Smith, 57, from Stockton, died along with six others when the aircraft crashed off Morecambe Bay, Lancs, as it took rig workers to a gas platform.

Lancashire Police said the decision was taken to abandon the Irish Sea search after talks with coastguard officials.

Mr Smith's family had hoped the hunt for the remaining wreckage from the crash would also recover his remains.

The bodies of pilots Stephen Potton, 51, Simon Foddering, 33, and passengers Robert Warburton, 60, Leslie Ahmed, 48, John Shaw, 51, and Alfred Neasham, 57, were recovered from the sea.

Data recorder

Mr Smith, a divorced father who lived with his fiancée, was on the helicopter flying from Blackpool to a rig operated by gas firm Centrica 25 miles (40km) out to sea in Morecambe Bay.

Workers on the rig saw the helicopter plunge into the sea only about 500 yards (457m) away.

A spokesman for Lancashire Police said: "After discussions between key agencies including Lancashire Constabulary, HM Coastguard, Centrica and the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) the decision has been taken to call off the search.

"His relatives have been informed of the decision."

The "black box" flight data recorder from the helicopter was recovered earlier this week and will be analysed for clues as to the cause of the accident.

In a statement, Mr Smith's family said: "Obviously we would like the body of Keith to be found so that it can be returned to us and we have closure."

An inquest into the deaths of the men was opened and adjourned earlier this month.