08/01/2014

Four Killed In Helicopter Crash

Four people have been killed after a US Air Force helicopter crashed in Norfolk.

The victims were all on board the helicopter at the time.

No details of the four crew members will be released until next-of-kin have been informed, police have said.

They added that an investigation into the accident is now underway.

On Tuesday night, an HH-60G Pave Hawk, which was based at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, crashed at a nature reserve in Cley.

The aircraft was assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing and was on a low-level training mission.

Police have said wreckage from the crash has been scattered over an area the size of a football pitch, with a 1,200ft (400m) area cordoned off. The A149 through Cley is also closed.

Authorities have said it could take days to carry out an inquiry, due to the geography of the area and munitions from the crashed helicopter.

A second helicopter from RAF Lakenheath, which landed on the marshes shortly after the crash, remains at the scene.

Chief Superintendent Bob Scully, from Norfolk Police, said: "In order to carry out a thorough investigation in a safe manner, the area will remain cordoned off with no access for the general public.

"We will be working the Ministry of Defence, Air Accident Investigation Branch and US Air Force to gather all evidence from the scene and then recover the aircraft.

"This is difficult terrain with marshland and tides coupled with wreckage containing munitions covering a large area.

"We must undertake this investigation and recovery operation in a careful and methodical way so we can provide answers as to why this crash happened.

"For reasons of safety it is essential that members of the public adhere to the cordon.

"Walking and bird-watching in this area will therefore be restricted until we have completed these tasks and ensured the marshes are safe."

The HH-60G Pave Hawk is a version of the US Army's Black Hawk helicopter and is used for combat search and rescue, mainly to recover downed aircrew or other isolated personnel in war zones.

(JP)

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