A 70-year-old man has died after the helicopter he was flying in plummeted into a field near Doncaster on Thursday morning.
Police, fire and ambulance crews rushed to a field near Ings Road in Bentley on the northern edge of the South Yorkshire city after the vehicle – registration G-CFNF – fell to the ground shortly after 10am.
It had taken off from Gamston Retford Airport just minutes before it crashed into the field, coming to a rest on its side – the rotor nowhere to be seen.
Police say the man was treated for ‘serious injuries’ by medics but was pronounced dead at the scene. His family is being supported by officers.
The pilot, a 41-year-old man, and two other passengers – a 58-year-old woman and a 10-year-old boy – received minor injuries.
South Yorkshire Police and the 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 takeoff from Gamston Retford Airport at 10am.
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.
Dozens of emergency workers were on scene, according to eyewitnesses.
The Daily Mail understands the helicopter, a 17-year-old Robinson R44 Raven II, is owned by Kuki Helicopters, a flight school based at Gamston.
Kuki declined to comment when approached this afternoon. The firm says on social media that it has a ‘100 per cent safety record’.
The R44 Raven II is capable of seating four people, including the pilot.
An eyewitness, who lives near the crash site, told Yorkshire Live: ‘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 that the aircraft took off from its apron.
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 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.’
