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Helicopter crashes into sea near lighthouse in East Yorkshire Helicopter crashes into sea near lighthouse in East Yorkshire
(35 minutes later)
A helicopter has crashed off the coast of East Yorkshire, police have said. A helicopter thought to be carrying two people has crashed off the coast of East Yorkshire.
A member of the public saw the aircraft crash between the lighthouse and the golf course in Flamborough shortly after 13:40 BST. Eyewitnesses reported seeing the aircraft descend into water near to Selwick Bay, in Flamborough, shortly after 13:40 BST.
Police said it was not clear how many people were on board the helicopter, which was on a flight from Durham Tees Valley Airport to Humberside Airport. Police said the cause of the crash was unclear. The helicopter was on a flight to Humberside Airport.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing a "loud crack" before the private helicopter started to descend. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a "loud crack" before the private helicopter went into the sea.
It is unclear what caused the helicopter to crash, police said.
There was "a quantity of what appears to be aviation fuel in the water around the crash site, making it potentially unsafe at present", a police spokesman said.There was "a quantity of what appears to be aviation fuel in the water around the crash site, making it potentially unsafe at present", a police spokesman said.
'Loud crack'
Eyewitness Chris Palmer told BBC Radio 5 Live: "We heard the helicopter. It was like a white, private helicopter going along the coast.Eyewitness Chris Palmer told BBC Radio 5 Live: "We heard the helicopter. It was like a white, private helicopter going along the coast.
"We all heard this really loud crack and looked up again."We all heard this really loud crack and looked up again.
"The helicopter started to descend, almost like a plane when it lands."The helicopter started to descend, almost like a plane when it lands.
"It then went behind the cliff and that's when I called the emergency services. I never actually heard it hit the sea.""It then went behind the cliff and that's when I called the emergency services. I never actually heard it hit the sea."
Rod Marwood, the course chairman of Flamborough Golf Club, said he was on the course and saw part of the incident.Rod Marwood, the course chairman of Flamborough Golf Club, said he was on the course and saw part of the incident.
"It was just another one of the helicopters we get flying by, especially at the north [side of the head]," he said."It was just another one of the helicopters we get flying by, especially at the north [side of the head]," he said.
'Dangerous cliff edges''Dangerous cliff edges'
"I had not taken much notice, but then the engine noise changed. I was far way away but could see it going down and trying to get to land."I had not taken much notice, but then the engine noise changed. I was far way away but could see it going down and trying to get to land.
"Then it just disappeared down side of the cliffs and never reappeared."Then it just disappeared down side of the cliffs and never reappeared.
"Some guys heard bump or smack and there was smell of aviation fuel. It was over in four or five seconds"."Some guys heard bump or smack and there was smell of aviation fuel. It was over in four or five seconds".
The RNLI said lifeboats from Bridlington and Flamborough were at the scene.The RNLI said lifeboats from Bridlington and Flamborough were at the scene.
A member of the public reported seeing the crash between the lighthouse and the golf course in the area of Selwick Bay, Flamborough.
People have been advised to stay away from the area "until further notice due to the dangerous cliff edges".People have been advised to stay away from the area "until further notice due to the dangerous cliff edges".
Paul Litten, commercial director at Humberside Airport, confirmed the aircraft was flying "inbound" to the airport but had "not handed over to their air traffic control".Paul Litten, commercial director at Humberside Airport, confirmed the aircraft was flying "inbound" to the airport but had "not handed over to their air traffic control".
He said the medium-sized private helicopter was on a flight from Durham Tees Valley Airport towards Humberside, before heading to another destination in the UK. He said the medium-sized private helicopter was due to head to another destination in the UK after leaving the airport.
The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has been informed.The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has been informed.