Serpo
23rd August 2013, 05:09 PM
This is how I "used" to get to work
'The helicopter just dropped': Three oil workers feared dead after chopper carrying 18 to gas platforms ditches into the North Sea near Shetland
Super Puma helicopter hit the water off Fitful Head at about 6.20pm
15 oil workers have now been rescued from the water
But search underway to find three who are still missing
Lifeboats have been sent to the scene of the crash
Ferry travelling between Shetland and Aberdeen diverted to the scene
By Anthony Bond (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/search.html?s=&authornamef=Anthony+Bond+), Bill Caven (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/search.html?s=&authornamef=Bill+Caven) and Sarah Bruce (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/search.html?s=&authornamef=Sarah+Bruce)
PUBLISHED: 19:38 GMT, 23 August 2013 | UPDATED: 21:59 GMT, 23 August 2013
(http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2401118/The-helicopter-just-dropped-Three-oil-workers-feared-dead-chopper-carrying-18-gas-platforms-ditches-North-Sea-near-Shetland.html#socialLinks)
Three oil workers are feared dead after a helicopter carrying 18 people ditched into the North Sea off the coast of Shetland.
The Super Puma L2 helicopter hit the water off Fitful Head at about 6.20pm, sparking a huge rescue operation.
Rescue helicopters and the coastguard have recovered 15 people from the sea but three are still missing.
Speaking to Sky News, one survivor said: 'The helicopter just dropped, no time to brace. It rolled when it hit the water.'
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/08/23/article-2401118-1B6EE037000005DC-413_634x454.jpg Worrying: Three oil workers are feared dead after a helicopter carrying 18 people ditched into the North Sea off the coast of Shetland. This shows the rescue operation underway
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/08/23/article-2401118-1B6EDB1C000005DC-418_634x430.jpg Injured: The Super Puma L2 helicopter hit the water off Fitful Head at about 6.20pm, sparking a huge rescue operation. This picture shows a passenger being taken for medical help
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/08/23/article-2401118-1B6EEFC8000005DC-157_634x389.jpg Emergency: The Super Puma L2 helicopter hit the water off Fitful Head at about 6.20pm, sparking a huge rescue operation
Lifeboats from Aith and Lerwick were sent to the scene of the crash, which is two miles west of Sumburgh airport, where the helicopter was believed to be stopping to refuel.
A ferry travelling between Shetland and Aberdeen - and carrying 201 passengers - also turned around to help with the rescue.
Local man Ronnie Robertson realised something was wrong when a search and rescue helicopter passed over his house.
He said: ‘This was not a controlled landing – it must have plunged from a height.
‘If it had been planned or controlled, then the helicopter would have sat up in the water and those on board rescued quickly – but this is clearly not the case here.
‘I think the chopper had come from a rig and had approached Sumburgh to refuel before carrying on its journey to Aberdeen, but something has gone very wrong as it approached Fitful Head.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/08/23/article-2401118-1B6EDB18000005DC-698_634x482.jpg Lucky: Rescue workers and passengers involved in the crash emerge from a rescue helicopter
‘The first I knew was when the helicopter went over my house.
‘It’s very hazy and foggy here – you could barely see 50metres ahead of you.’
He added: 'The conditions have deteriorated dramatically in the last couple of hours since the incident happened.
'Judging by the way the rescue boats are bouncing about on the water, it has now become very rough which will hamper the search still further'
It is understood that helicopters operating west off the islands regularly stop at Sumburgh to take on extra fuel.
This involves flying high towards Fitful Head and then dropping down quickly.
But on this occasion it is believed the aircraft plunged faster than normal and ended up around two miles off the coast.
At least one Northlink passenger ferry on the Aberdeen to Shetland route was diverted to the scene, along with a cargo vessel approaching Lerwick at the time.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/08/23/article-2401118-1B6EDB14000005DC-979_634x592.jpg Frightening: A man rescued from the helicopter is taken for medical help. Three people are still missing at sea
A spokesman for Northlink ferries said: “The Scottish Coastguard are in the lead of the operation, but I can confirm that at least one of our ferries is providing assistance.
'There will definitely have been passengers aboard that ferry.'
The ferry is believed to have been travelling between Shetland and Orkney and is thought to have been carrying up to 201 passengers, who were informed over the tannoy of the drama.
The helicopter was operated by CHC and was used to take rig workers back and forward to platforms in the North Sea.
It comes just a fortnight after global company CHC re-introduced the controversial Super Puma model to its stable a year after the helicopter type was grounded due to two unexplained ditchings last year.
It is not known what type of helicopter was involved in the ditching, but it was reported last night that it may have been a Eurocopter Super Puma AS332 L2, a model that normally has a good safety record.
A spokesman for the operating company said: 'CHC Helicopter can confirm that there has been an incident involving one of our aircraft in the North Sea, approximately two miles off Sumburgh.
'Exact details of the incident, which happened at approximately 6.20pm are not yet known.
'The appropriate authorities have been informed and the company’s Incident Management Team is being mobilised.'
Police Scotland said it had declared a 'major incident' following the crash.
'Maritime and Coastguard Agency are coordinating the search and rescue operation following a helicopter having gone down off the coast of the Shetland Isles shortly before 18:30 hours tonight,' it said in a statement.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/08/23/article-2401118-039202A7000005DC-445_634x430.jpg Worrying: A large rescue operation is underway this evening after a helicopter with 18 people on board ditched into the North Sea off the coast of Shetland. The helicopter is believed to be similar to this one pictured
'A total of 18 people were reported to be onboard the helicopter which went down two miles off the coast of Sumburgh.
'The search is currently ongoing involving a number of agencies, coordinated by MCA, and so far fifteen people have been uplifted to Gilbert Bain Hospital in Lerwick.
'Sumburgh Airport is currently closed to allow emergency services to deal with the ongoing incident.
'A major incident has been declared and agencies are working closely in partnership.'
Investigators from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) were travelling to the scene last night.
A spokesman for the Department for Transport said: “The AAIB is aware of the incident and has deployed a team”.
Last year, two helicopters ditched in the North Sea only six months apart. All passengers and crew were rescued in both incidents which were found to be caused by gearbox problems.
In October, 17 passengers and two crew were rescued from life rafts by a passing vessel after the helicopter, which was carrying an oil crew from Aberdeen to a rig 86 miles north west of Shetland, was forced to ditch.
Previously, in May 2012 all 14 passengers and crew members on a Super Puma helicopter were rescued after it ditched about 30 miles off the coast of Aberdeen. The helicopter was on a scheduled flight from Aberdeen Airport to a platform in the North Sea at the time.
Super Puma EC 225s were grounded in the wake of the two incidents but were given approval to fly again and services resumed earlier this month.
In April 2009, 16 people died when a Super Puma plunged into the sea. Its gearbox failed while carrying the men to Aberdeen. The Bond-operated aircraft was returning from the BP Miller platform when it went down off the Aberdeenshire coast on April 1, 2009.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2401118/The-helicopter-just-dropped-Three-oil-workers-feared-dead-chopper-carrying-18-gas-platforms-ditches-North-Sea-near-Shetland.html#ixzz2cqAeDr00
'The helicopter just dropped': Three oil workers feared dead after chopper carrying 18 to gas platforms ditches into the North Sea near Shetland
Super Puma helicopter hit the water off Fitful Head at about 6.20pm
15 oil workers have now been rescued from the water
But search underway to find three who are still missing
Lifeboats have been sent to the scene of the crash
Ferry travelling between Shetland and Aberdeen diverted to the scene
By Anthony Bond (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/search.html?s=&authornamef=Anthony+Bond+), Bill Caven (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/search.html?s=&authornamef=Bill+Caven) and Sarah Bruce (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/search.html?s=&authornamef=Sarah+Bruce)
PUBLISHED: 19:38 GMT, 23 August 2013 | UPDATED: 21:59 GMT, 23 August 2013
(http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2401118/The-helicopter-just-dropped-Three-oil-workers-feared-dead-chopper-carrying-18-gas-platforms-ditches-North-Sea-near-Shetland.html#socialLinks)
Three oil workers are feared dead after a helicopter carrying 18 people ditched into the North Sea off the coast of Shetland.
The Super Puma L2 helicopter hit the water off Fitful Head at about 6.20pm, sparking a huge rescue operation.
Rescue helicopters and the coastguard have recovered 15 people from the sea but three are still missing.
Speaking to Sky News, one survivor said: 'The helicopter just dropped, no time to brace. It rolled when it hit the water.'
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/08/23/article-2401118-1B6EE037000005DC-413_634x454.jpg Worrying: Three oil workers are feared dead after a helicopter carrying 18 people ditched into the North Sea off the coast of Shetland. This shows the rescue operation underway
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/08/23/article-2401118-1B6EDB1C000005DC-418_634x430.jpg Injured: The Super Puma L2 helicopter hit the water off Fitful Head at about 6.20pm, sparking a huge rescue operation. This picture shows a passenger being taken for medical help
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/08/23/article-2401118-1B6EEFC8000005DC-157_634x389.jpg Emergency: The Super Puma L2 helicopter hit the water off Fitful Head at about 6.20pm, sparking a huge rescue operation
Lifeboats from Aith and Lerwick were sent to the scene of the crash, which is two miles west of Sumburgh airport, where the helicopter was believed to be stopping to refuel.
A ferry travelling between Shetland and Aberdeen - and carrying 201 passengers - also turned around to help with the rescue.
Local man Ronnie Robertson realised something was wrong when a search and rescue helicopter passed over his house.
He said: ‘This was not a controlled landing – it must have plunged from a height.
‘If it had been planned or controlled, then the helicopter would have sat up in the water and those on board rescued quickly – but this is clearly not the case here.
‘I think the chopper had come from a rig and had approached Sumburgh to refuel before carrying on its journey to Aberdeen, but something has gone very wrong as it approached Fitful Head.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/08/23/article-2401118-1B6EDB18000005DC-698_634x482.jpg Lucky: Rescue workers and passengers involved in the crash emerge from a rescue helicopter
‘The first I knew was when the helicopter went over my house.
‘It’s very hazy and foggy here – you could barely see 50metres ahead of you.’
He added: 'The conditions have deteriorated dramatically in the last couple of hours since the incident happened.
'Judging by the way the rescue boats are bouncing about on the water, it has now become very rough which will hamper the search still further'
It is understood that helicopters operating west off the islands regularly stop at Sumburgh to take on extra fuel.
This involves flying high towards Fitful Head and then dropping down quickly.
But on this occasion it is believed the aircraft plunged faster than normal and ended up around two miles off the coast.
At least one Northlink passenger ferry on the Aberdeen to Shetland route was diverted to the scene, along with a cargo vessel approaching Lerwick at the time.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/08/23/article-2401118-1B6EDB14000005DC-979_634x592.jpg Frightening: A man rescued from the helicopter is taken for medical help. Three people are still missing at sea
A spokesman for Northlink ferries said: “The Scottish Coastguard are in the lead of the operation, but I can confirm that at least one of our ferries is providing assistance.
'There will definitely have been passengers aboard that ferry.'
The ferry is believed to have been travelling between Shetland and Orkney and is thought to have been carrying up to 201 passengers, who were informed over the tannoy of the drama.
The helicopter was operated by CHC and was used to take rig workers back and forward to platforms in the North Sea.
It comes just a fortnight after global company CHC re-introduced the controversial Super Puma model to its stable a year after the helicopter type was grounded due to two unexplained ditchings last year.
It is not known what type of helicopter was involved in the ditching, but it was reported last night that it may have been a Eurocopter Super Puma AS332 L2, a model that normally has a good safety record.
A spokesman for the operating company said: 'CHC Helicopter can confirm that there has been an incident involving one of our aircraft in the North Sea, approximately two miles off Sumburgh.
'Exact details of the incident, which happened at approximately 6.20pm are not yet known.
'The appropriate authorities have been informed and the company’s Incident Management Team is being mobilised.'
Police Scotland said it had declared a 'major incident' following the crash.
'Maritime and Coastguard Agency are coordinating the search and rescue operation following a helicopter having gone down off the coast of the Shetland Isles shortly before 18:30 hours tonight,' it said in a statement.
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/08/23/article-2401118-039202A7000005DC-445_634x430.jpg Worrying: A large rescue operation is underway this evening after a helicopter with 18 people on board ditched into the North Sea off the coast of Shetland. The helicopter is believed to be similar to this one pictured
'A total of 18 people were reported to be onboard the helicopter which went down two miles off the coast of Sumburgh.
'The search is currently ongoing involving a number of agencies, coordinated by MCA, and so far fifteen people have been uplifted to Gilbert Bain Hospital in Lerwick.
'Sumburgh Airport is currently closed to allow emergency services to deal with the ongoing incident.
'A major incident has been declared and agencies are working closely in partnership.'
Investigators from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) were travelling to the scene last night.
A spokesman for the Department for Transport said: “The AAIB is aware of the incident and has deployed a team”.
Last year, two helicopters ditched in the North Sea only six months apart. All passengers and crew were rescued in both incidents which were found to be caused by gearbox problems.
In October, 17 passengers and two crew were rescued from life rafts by a passing vessel after the helicopter, which was carrying an oil crew from Aberdeen to a rig 86 miles north west of Shetland, was forced to ditch.
Previously, in May 2012 all 14 passengers and crew members on a Super Puma helicopter were rescued after it ditched about 30 miles off the coast of Aberdeen. The helicopter was on a scheduled flight from Aberdeen Airport to a platform in the North Sea at the time.
Super Puma EC 225s were grounded in the wake of the two incidents but were given approval to fly again and services resumed earlier this month.
In April 2009, 16 people died when a Super Puma plunged into the sea. Its gearbox failed while carrying the men to Aberdeen. The Bond-operated aircraft was returning from the BP Miller platform when it went down off the Aberdeenshire coast on April 1, 2009.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2401118/The-helicopter-just-dropped-Three-oil-workers-feared-dead-chopper-carrying-18-gas-platforms-ditches-North-Sea-near-Shetland.html#ixzz2cqAeDr00