Three people have died in a helicopter crash on the Isle of Wight this morning.
A total of four people, counting the pilot, were in the small aircraft when it descended close to the town of Shanklin along the main road to Newport shortly before 9:30 am.
After crashing in a nearby field, a huge emergency response was dispatched to the scene.
One casualty is currently being treated in hospital after being airlifted to safety.
Shanklin Town Council has praised the courageous pilot for managing to ‘bring down the helicopter in a field away from any built up areas.’
The local authority added: ‘This bank holiday, as well as hosting the scooter rally on the island, has many organised events that run from Sandown airport.
‘One of those is the regular flights that give visitors the ability to view the coastline from the air.
‘This is a tragic accident and the pilot deserves huge credit for bringing down the helicopter in a field away from any built up areas.’
Three people have died in a helicopter crash on the Isle of Wight this morning (pictured)
Four individuals, including the pilot, were onboard the small vehicle when it came down near the town of Shanklin on the main road to Newport just before 9.30am (pictured: police attend the scene)
Emergency calls about the helicopter crash started coming in this morning just after 9.20am. One casualty is currently being treated in hospital after being airlifted to safety
At the time of the tragic crash, the pleasure flight was being used for a flying lesson, according to Northumbria Helicopters.
The helicopter took off from Sandown Airport and was on its second trip of the day before it ran into difficulties.
Tracking of its flight suggests it climbed to an altitude of about 800 feet before an issue occurred.
From that point it was about 27 seconds before the helicopter hit the ground.
The nightmare unfolded just after 9.20am as calls started coming in to the air ambulance service that something had gone seriously wrong.
Emergency crews from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance and Coastguard Rescue 175 from Lee-on-Solent are currently working at the scene.
Fire engines from Shanklin, Ventnor and Newport are also on site trying to help tackle the aftermath of the crash.
Sources on the Isle of Wight say that the firm involved, Northumbria Helicopters, are based on the mainland but come to the island several times a year to offer flights.
At the time of the tragic crash, the pleasure flight was being used for a flying lesson, according to Northumbria Helicopters (pictured: firefighters attend the incident)
Emergency crews from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance and Coastguard Rescue 175 from Lee-on-Solent were pictured at the scene
A helicopter joins emergency services at the crash site on Monday morning
Prior to this weekend, the company was last there on the weekend of July 26-27.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) announced this afternoon that it has launched an investigation.
‘An investigation has begun into an accident involving a helicopter which occurred on 25 August,’ it said.
‘A team of inspectors has been sent to the accident site to gather evidence and make enquiries.’
Shanklin Road is currently closed between the junctions with Whiteley Bank and Apse Manor Road.
Hampshire Police said: ‘We were called at 9.24am to a report that a helicopter had come down in a field near the A3020 Shanklin Road.
‘The road is closed due to the number of emergency services vehicles at the scene, so please avoid the area at this time.’
A spokesperson for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance said: ‘We can confirm our dispatchers deployed the Air Ambulance at 09.20am to an incident near Ventnor on the Isle of Wight today Monday 25 August.
‘The Critical Care Team consisting of a doctor and a specialist paramedic are on scene, working alongside our emergency service colleagues.’
