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Twelve injured in RAF air crash Two die in RAF helicopter crash
(about 3 hours later)
Twelve people on board an RAF helicopter that crashed in North Yorkshire have been taken to hospital. Two people have died and 10 others have been injured following an RAF helicopter crash in North Yorkshire.
A Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesman said some of the 12, who have been taken to hospitals in Middlesbrough and Newcastle, were "walking wounded". The helicopter came down some time before 2130 BST on Wednesday near the Hudswell Grange wooded area to the west of the Catterick Garrison army base.
Some were in a "more serious condition", the spokesman added. A Ministry of Defence (MoD) spokesman said some of casualties taken to hospitals in Middlesbrough and Newcastle were "walking wounded".
The helicopter came down some time before 2130 BST near the Hudswell Grange wooded area to the west of the Catterick Garrison army base. He said that a board of inquiry would investigate the cause of the crash.
We watched this helicopter quite rapidly go straight up into the air and it didn't sound right Andrew PaveyLocal residentWe watched this helicopter quite rapidly go straight up into the air and it didn't sound right Andrew PaveyLocal resident
Some of the casualties were taken by RAF Sea King helicopter to the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, a Yorkshire Ambulance Service spokeswoman said.Some of the casualties were taken by RAF Sea King helicopter to the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, a Yorkshire Ambulance Service spokeswoman said.
Others were flown to Newcastle while one person was taken by road ambulance to Friarage Hospital, Northallerton.Others were flown to Newcastle while one person was taken by road ambulance to Friarage Hospital, Northallerton.
Catterick Garrison, to the south-west of Richmond and to the west of Catterick, is the Army's largest garrison.Catterick Garrison, to the south-west of Richmond and to the west of Catterick, is the Army's largest garrison.
Local resident Andrew Pavey said he had witnessed the crash.Local resident Andrew Pavey said he had witnessed the crash.
"We watched this helicopter quite rapidly go straight up into the air and it didn't sound right," he told BBC News."We watched this helicopter quite rapidly go straight up into the air and it didn't sound right," he told BBC News.
"It sounded like the engine was misfiring or something - it was making a hell of a racket."It sounded like the engine was misfiring or something - it was making a hell of a racket.
"This helicopter went onto its side and then shot off."This helicopter went onto its side and then shot off.
"I didn't hear no bangs or nothing. I didn't see no flames or anything like that at all.""I didn't hear no bangs or nothing. I didn't see no flames or anything like that at all."
Board of inquiryBoard of inquiry
MoD spokesman Michael Mulford told BBC News 24: "An RAF helicopter, just shortly before 2130 tonight, did come down just on the edge of the Catterick Garrison which is locally known as Hudswell Grange.MoD spokesman Michael Mulford told BBC News 24: "An RAF helicopter, just shortly before 2130 tonight, did come down just on the edge of the Catterick Garrison which is locally known as Hudswell Grange.
We've got to wait until the A&E teams have had a look at these people and work out exactly what their injuries are MoD spokesman Michael Mulford "We did launch a major search and rescue operation involving two helicopters, two mountain rescue teams and our colleagues from the police service." "We did launch a major search and rescue operation involving two helicopters, two mountain rescue teams and our colleagues from the police service."
All 12 people on board had been accounted for, Mr Mulford said.
"We've got to wait until the A&E teams have had a look at these people and work out exactly what their injuries are," he added.
The helicopter would have been flying "in support of the army in some sort of manoeuvres or training", he added.The helicopter would have been flying "in support of the army in some sort of manoeuvres or training", he added.
He said a board of inquiry would be set up overnight or in the morning to establish the cause of the crash.He said a board of inquiry would be set up overnight or in the morning to establish the cause of the crash.
"They will go through every possible detail, everything to do with the maintenance of the aircraft, everything to do with crew hours and flying hours as well as weather conditions, mechanics and electrics - everything that you can think of that might contribute to an accident.""They will go through every possible detail, everything to do with the maintenance of the aircraft, everything to do with crew hours and flying hours as well as weather conditions, mechanics and electrics - everything that you can think of that might contribute to an accident."
A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said the site of the crash had now been cordoned off.A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said the site of the crash had now been cordoned off.
A spokesman for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said crews were at the crash scene.A spokesman for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said crews were at the crash scene.