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Two dead after helicopter crash Two dead after helicopter crash
(about 2 hours later)
Two people have died in a helicopter crash at a golf resort near Harrogate, North Yorkshire Fire Service has said. Two people have died in a helicopter crash at a golf resort near Harrogate, North Yorkshire.
Police, fire and ambulance services were called to attend the scene in woodland at Rudding Park - a luxury hotel and golf resort - at 1630 GMT.Police, fire and ambulance services were called to attend the scene in woodland at Rudding Park - a luxury hotel and golf resort - at 1630 GMT.
The victims, a middle aged man and a middle aged woman, both from the West Yorkshire area, are thought to have died instantly, police said. The victims, a middle-aged man and a middle-aged woman, both from the West Yorkshire area, are thought to have died instantly, police said.
The helicopter had just taken off when it crashed.The helicopter had just taken off when it crashed.
The fire service said the area was searched for other casualties but none were found. The fire service said the area was searched for other casualties but no-one else was found.
It would appear to be a really tragic incident and our job now is to try and establish the cause Insp Tad Nowakowski, North Yorkshire Police
An investigation has been launched by the police and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch.An investigation has been launched by the police and the Air Accidents Investigation Branch.
Police say the deceased are due to be formally identified on Monday. Weather forecasters said there had been high winds in the area earlier, which had subsided by the time of the crash but conditions were still gusty.
Past guests at the 2,000 acre Rudding Park have included former US presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush Senior, former Russian president Mikhail Gorbachev and Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa. Police say the deceased, who were pronounced dead at the scene, were due to be formally identified on Monday.
The landlord of a nearby pub said flights over the hotel, which has an 18-hole Championship golf course, occur daily. Insp Tad Nowakowski, of North Yorkshire Police said their bodies would be removed from the wreckage of the helicopter on Sunday.
"The helicopter is in the middle of a small wood," he said.
"We understand they had just left Rudding Park Hotel. The two people are from the West Yorkshire area, the helicopter is a private helicopter.
Famous guests
"My thoughts and prayers are with their family and friends.
"It would appear to be a really tragic incident and our job now is to try and establish the cause, which will take some time."
A private function at the 2,000 acre hotel and resort, which was recently named the 12th most luxurious in the world, has still gone ahead.
Former guests have included former US presidents Bill Clinton and George Bush Senior, former Russian president Mikhail Gorbachev and Archbishop Desmond Tutu, of South Africa.
The landlord of a nearby pub said flights over the hotel, which has an 18-hole Championship golf course, occurred daily.
Are you in the vicinity of the helicopter crash and did you witness anything? Please could you send us comments or pictures using the form below.Are you in the vicinity of the helicopter crash and did you witness anything? Please could you send us comments or pictures using the form below.
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