Norfolk crash helicopter's flight recorder recovered

  • Published

The flight voice recorder of the crashed helicopter that killed four people in Norfolk, including Northern Ireland peer Lord Ballyedmond, has been recovered for analysis.

The Agusta Westland AW139 crashed in a field at Gillingham, near Beccles, at about 19:30 GMT on Thursday.

The other victims were Declan Small, and pilots Carl Dickerson and Lee Hoyle.

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) is recovering the crash debris.

The wreckage is expected to be removed from the field on Sunday.

"We are plotting the distribution of the debris on the field before removing fuel from the helicopter to make it safe," said an AAIB spokesman.

Site workers have spent the day removing the rotor blades and tail-section from the helicopter in readiness for its removal.

Image caption,
An aircraft recovery team from Wiltshire has been searching the wreckage for clues
Image caption,
Crews have worked throughout Saturday to remove the rotor blades from the crashed AW139
Image caption,
The tail section was also recovered ahead of the wreckage being removed on Sunday

It is not known what caused the crash but witnesses reported fog in the area at the time and said the helicopter came down very soon after taking off from Lord Ballyedmond's estate.

Prayers will be said at All Saints, Kirby Cane, in a service at 11:00 GMT on Sunday where four candles will be lit in memory of the victims.

Image caption,
Debris from the crash has been marked for hundreds of yards across the site
Image caption,
A floral tribute was left at the site of the helicopter crash. The card read To Uncle Eddie

The Reverend Julie Oddy-Bates said: "It's a huge tragedy for the families of all four men that died and in a small community those things have a big effect.

"During our prayer time we'll be praying for them and for their families in this time of grief.

"It's always important to remember the lives of anyone who's been lost, particularly in a tragic situation like this."

Image caption,
Gillingham is a small village in the south of Norfolk with a population of about 650

Tributes have been paid to Dr Edward Haughey, who became Lord Ballyedmond of Mourne when he was created a life peer in 2004.

A leading industrialist, he owned veterinary pharmaceutical firm Norbrook Laboratories in Newry, County Down, and had a range of other business interests.

As well as being a member of the House of Lords, he was a former member of the Irish senate.

A spokesman for Agusta Westland said the company could not comment on possible defects with Lord Ballyedmond's helicopter, but said it was making checks internally and would support the ongoing investigation in any possible way.

The findings of the AAIB investigation are expected in about 12 months time.

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