An aviation school has addressed the tragic incident following a helicopter crash in Doncaster that resulted in the death of a 70-year-old man and left three others injured.
The helicopter, reportedly owned by Kuki Helicopters, crashed into a field in the Bentley area of South Yorkshire shortly after 10 a.m. on Thursday. The aircraft’s remains were found on their side, with the rotor detached, marking a grim scene.
Emergency services, including police, fire, and ambulance teams, quickly arrived at the crash site on Ings Road. The passenger, a man in his 70s, was critically injured and, despite the urgent medical care provided, was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities are currently supporting his grieving family.
The other individuals on board, including the 41-year-old pilot, a 58-year-old woman, and a 10-year-old boy, sustained minor injuries in the crash. The aviation school has yet to provide further details as investigations continue into the cause of this unfortunate accident.
But despite their best efforts, he was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. His family is being supported by officers.
The male pilot, 41, and two other passengers – a woman, 58, and a boy, ten – received minor injuries.
And the aviation school which owns the helicopter – and says on social media it has a ‘100 per cent safety record’ – has now released a statement on the tragic accident.
Kuki Helicopters wrote in an Instagram post on Friday evening: ‘At this very sad time, our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of all those involved in the helicopter incident that occurred yesterday.
The aircraft understood to belong to Kuki Helicopters plummeted into a field (pictured) in the Bentley area of the South Yorkshire city just after 10am on Thursday morning
The aviation school which owns the helicopter – and says on social media it has a ‘100 per cent safety record’ – has now released a statement (pictured) on the tragic accident
‘Our heartfelt condolences are sent to everyone affected by this tragedy and we will of course continue to support relevant agencies concerning the ongoing investigation. Simon & Matt.’
The helicopter and aircraft pilot training firm was founded by Simon Nicholls, who also acts as director and chief pilot. He is supported by instructor Matthew Peach.
The company’s social media says its staff has ’26 plus years of experience’.
Mr Nicholls, who founded the business in 1997, previously worked for British and American helicopter flight training schools.
He writes on the school’s website: ‘We have flown over 20,000 hours, we have a 100 per cent pass rate and more importantly a zero accident or incident safety record, not only at Kuki but also all the students that we have taught and have gone on to fly for pleasure or a career.’
The vehicle belonging to Kuki Helicopters, based in the village of Gamston, Nottinghamshire, had taken off just minutes before the crash.
The craft, with the registration number G-CFNF, had travelled the roughly 30 miles from Gamston Retford Airport, which it left at 10am.
The 17-year-old Robinson R44 Raven II model was at maximum capacity during the flight, as it only has space for four passengers.
South Yorkshire Police and the government’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) have launched a joint investigation and are appealing for anyone with footage to come forward.
Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Inspector Matt Bolger, said: ‘Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the man who sadly died in this tragic incident.
‘We and our emergency services colleagues remain at the scene and we have launched a full joint investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident in parallel with our partners at the AAIB.
‘As part of our investigation, we’d ask for anyone with information to get in touch. If you were in the area at the time and saw the events unfold, please contact us.
‘We are particularly keen to hear from those with footage of the helicopter leading up to the crash.’
FlightRadar24 data shows the helicopter switched on its transponder shortly after wheels-up.
It appeared to then fly over Doncaster before it disappears from radar in the vicinity of Ings Road at around 10.08am. The first emergency call came in six minutes later.
Other data shows it made a 33-minute flight six days before the crash.
The 70-year-old man, who was a passenger in the helicopter, was treated for ‘serious injuries’ by medics – but despite their best efforts, he was sadly pronounced dead at the scene (pictured)
Dozens of emergency workers were on scene, according to witnesses.
Resident Ken Melvin, 75, who was walking his dog nearby at the time, saw the helicopter ‘fall from the sky’.
He told the Daily Mail: ‘I come down here every morning. The field it crashed in I was stood at the gate. There was no explosion. Nothing.
‘I watched it come down. It just sort of fell out of the sky. I thought, “Bloody hell”. I did not hear any engine noise so I assume the engines had cut out.
‘I saw a very young teenager and a woman get out. She was in red or white. I saw a man laying down. The helicopter could have been full but I only saw three people.
‘I can imagine everyone screaming and running about.
‘I saw about ten police cars and an air ambulance land in the field opposite. Then the (land) ambulance and a the fire brigade.
‘I thought I better move back in case it blew which it didn’t. I watched it ’til I thought, “I had better get out of here”.
‘I thought I was seeing things. I gave police a statement. I do see some weird things down here on a night time but not that.
‘I gave them a statement. They told me it would only be a few hours before it was all gone but it has not.
‘I never heard any noise which puzzled me. There was no engine noise. I did not think it was wise to hang around but all the vehicles had blocked me in.
‘I thought I was seeing things because I did not hear anything.’
Another bystander, who lives near the crash site, told YorkshireLive: ‘It’s just missed our house. We live on the very end house of the street next to the train tracks.
‘I spoke to a few of my neighbours.
‘I don’t think anyone actually saw it come down but at first we all thought it was a train crash because we saw all of the emergency services firing past.’
Gamston Airport confirmed to the Daily Mail the aircraft took off from its apron.
Police, fire and ambulance crews (pictured) rushed to the site on Ings Road, where the aviation school’s helicopter had come to a rest on its side, with the rotor nowhere to be seen
A spokesperson said: ‘We can confirm an aircraft based here operated by an onsite tenant has been involved in an incident. We’ve no further information at this time.’
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband, the MP for Doncaster North, said: ‘Devastating news that a man has died following a helicopter crash in Bentley this morning.
‘My thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim of this terrible incident.
‘My office are in touch with the relevant authorities including South Yorkshire Police, and I know the whole of Doncaster will be united in having the victim in their thoughts today.’
The Daily Mail has previously contacted South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service for more information.
The AAIB said in a statement: ‘The AAIB has been made aware of an accident near Doncaster and has deployed a team to commence an investigation.’
Marketing materials describe the Robinson R44 Raven II as being ‘renowned for its versatility’ with ‘responsive handling’ that requires ‘minimal physical effort to operate’.
A spokesperson for the Air Accidents Investigation Branch said: ‘The AAIB has been made aware of an accident near Doncaster and has deployed a team to commence an investigation.’
Kuki Helicopters has been contacted for comment.
