Four killed in UK helicopter crash

Four people are believed to have died after a civilian helicopter crashed in thick fog in Britain tonight.

The emergency services were called at 7.30pm following reports that the aircraft had come down in Gillingham, near Beccles, Norfolk.

A spokeswoman for Norfolk Police said: “It’s a civilian helicopter, and there were four occupants on board who are all thought to have died in the crash.”

A spokeswoman for East of England Ambulance Service said: “Sadly, it is believed that four people in the helicopter are believed to have died in the crash. Ambulance resources have now been stood down from the scene. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those who have lost their lives tonight.”

Two ambulance officers, three ambulances, two doctors and one rapid response car attended the scene.

Norfolk Police said the crash site had been cordoned off. It is 45 miles from the spot where four crew members died when a US military helicopter crashed on a training mission in a nature reserve in Cley-next-the-Sea, Norfolk.

In January, a Pave Hawk from RAF Lakenheath was taking part in a low-flying training exercise when it came down.

All four US crew members were killed in the crash. Residents described hearing a “’heavy and very unusual” noise from the helicopter seconds before the crash.