This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-29227193

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Helicopter crashes into sea near lighthouse in East Yorkshire Two dead in East Yorkshire coast helicopter crash
(35 minutes later)
A helicopter thought to be carrying two people has crashed off the coast of East Yorkshire. Two men have died after a private helicopter crashed off the coast of East Yorkshire, police said.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing the aircraft descend into water near to Selwick Bay, in Flamborough, shortly after 13:40 BST. The helicopter was on a flight from Edinburgh to Humberside when it crashed near Selwick Bay, Flamborough.
Police said the cause of the crash was unclear. The helicopter was on a flight to Humberside Airport. Police said the cause of the crash, at about 13:40 BST, was unclear.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing a "loud crack" before the private helicopter went into the sea. Eyewitnesses reported hearing a "loud crack" before the helicopter, believed to be a JetRanger, went into the sea. The wreckage is thought to be 200ft (60.96m) below the cliff top.
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.
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.
'Dangerous cliff edges'
"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' "I had not taken much notice, but then the engine noise changed. I was a fair 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 the side of the cliffs and never reappeared.
"Then it just disappeared down side of the cliffs and never reappeared. "Some guys heard a 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.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 due to head to another destination in the UK after leaving the airport.He said the medium-sized private helicopter was due to head to another destination in the UK after leaving the airport.
Durham Tees Valley Airport said the helicopter had flown through its air space.
In a statement, the airport said: "Air traffic control at Durham Tees Valley did handle the flight, which it is believed originated in Scotland, whilst in local airspace.
"Subsequently the pilot of the aircraft contacted air traffic control to state that he had landed at a private site and was then proceeding to Humberside Airport."
The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has been informed.The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has been informed.