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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Two killed as helicopter crashes | Two killed as helicopter crashes |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A helicopter has crashed on the banks of an estuary in Lancashire, killing two people on board. | A helicopter has crashed on the banks of an estuary in Lancashire, killing two people on board. |
| Police said a Mayday signal was sent from the aircraft as it flew over Poulton-le-Fylde, near Blackpool, at about 1210 BST. | Police said a Mayday signal was sent from the aircraft as it flew over Poulton-le-Fylde, near Blackpool, at about 1210 BST. |
| The aircraft was located at Barnaby's Sands, an area of salt marsh on the edge of the Wyre estuary, about 40 minutes later. | The aircraft was located at Barnaby's Sands, an area of salt marsh on the edge of the Wyre estuary, about 40 minutes later. |
| Emergency services are at the scene carrying out a recovery operation. | Emergency services are at the scene carrying out a recovery operation. |
| Lancashire police have confirmed both people on board suffered fatal injuries. | Lancashire police have confirmed both people on board suffered fatal injuries. |
| It is not known what caused the helicopter to crash. | It is not known what caused the helicopter to crash. |
| Airport signal | Airport signal |
| A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the helicopter was understood to be a civilian aircraft. | A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said the helicopter was understood to be a civilian aircraft. |
| The Mayday signal was received by Blackpool Airport's air traffic control, which alerted the emergency services. | The Mayday signal was received by Blackpool Airport's air traffic control, which alerted the emergency services. |
| The wreckage was discovered at 1250 BST. | The wreckage was discovered at 1250 BST. |
| Barnaby's Sands, which is a nature reserve, is managed by the Lancashire Wildlife Trust. | Barnaby's Sands, which is a nature reserve, is managed by the Lancashire Wildlife Trust. |
| According to the trust, it is one of the last extensive areas of un-grazed salt marsh on the Lancashire coast and is popular with birdwatchers. | According to the trust, it is one of the last extensive areas of un-grazed salt marsh on the Lancashire coast and is popular with birdwatchers. |
| Lynda Brislin, chief executive of North West Air Ambulance said: "This is a tragic loss of life and our crew were at the scene within minutes of being called. | |
| "The fact that the crash involved a helicopter was a very difficult situation for us to deal with and our thoughts are with the families of those who lost their lives." |