Three Dead, One Seriously Injured After Helicopter Crash During Flying Lesson on Isle of Wight
ISLE OF WIGHT, England — Three people have died and another remains in hospital in serious condition after a helicopter crashed during a flying lesson on Monday morning.
According to Northumbria Helicopters, which operated the aircraft, four people were on board the Robinson R44 II helicopter when it went down in a field near the A3020 Shanklin Road. The flight had departed from Sandown Airport at approximately 9 a.m. and was part of a training session.
Emergency services were alerted at 9:24 a.m., and within minutes, a Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance was dispatched to the scene. A critical care team, including a doctor and specialist paramedic, was also deployed.
Tragically, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary later confirmed that three people had died at the scene. “Four people in total were on board, with one person currently in hospital in a serious condition,” police said in a statement. “At this time, we are unable to provide further information about the people involved, as efforts continue to contact and support their families.”
The injured survivor was airlifted to University Hospital Southampton, a spokesperson for the air ambulance service confirmed. “Our thoughts are with them, and everyone involved in today’s incident,” the spokesperson added.
Firefighters from Newport, Ventnor, and Shanklin stations also responded to the scene shortly before 9:30 a.m. A major incident was declared to coordinate emergency services but was later stood down once the situation was stabilized.
Witness Leigh Goldsmith told the Isle of Wight County Press that she saw the helicopter “spiralling” before it disappeared from view and came down in a hedge.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has launched an investigation into the crash and has deployed a team to the site. The cause of the incident has not yet been determined.
Northumbria Helicopters said it is giving its “full cooperation” to the authorities as inquiries continue.
