Earlier today, a helicopter accident occurred near Ventnor on the Isle of Wight, England, leading to a swift emergency response. The crash, which happened on August 25, saw police, fire crews, ambulances, and an air ambulance rush to the scene shortly after the incident was reported. At least one individual was airlifted to a hospital in Southampton for medical care. The UK Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has initiated an investigation to determine the cause of the crash. Local authorities are currently advising the public to steer clear of the area as they continue their investigation and recovery operations.
Witnesses reported seeing the helicopter spiraling before it crashed. Leigh Goldsmith, who was driving towards Shanklin at the time, described seeing the aircraft disappear from view before it collided with a hedge. She was among the first to arrive at the scene and noted that airbags appeared to have deployed inside the helicopter. Emergency services, including a critical care team from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, responded promptly, treating one patient on-site before transporting them to the Major Trauma Centre at University Hospital Southampton. The AAIB has dispatched a team to the crash site to collect evidence and conduct inquiries.
The helicopter involved was identified as a Robinson R44 II, operated by Northumbria Helicopters and registered as G-OCLV. The aircraft, carrying four people including the pilot, had taken off from Sandown Airport around 9:00 AM for a flying lesson. Northumbria Helicopters has expressed its full cooperation with the ongoing investigation and will provide updates as they become available. Shanklin Town Council expressed shock over the incident, commending the pilot for managing to land the helicopter in a field, away from populated areas. The crash occurred during a busy bank holiday weekend, with many tourists visiting the Isle of Wight for various events.
#IsleOfWight #HelicopterCrash #EmergencyResponse #AAIBInvestigation #RobinsonR44
Originally reported by Simple Flying Read More
