Pilots killed in NI helicopter crash
Two army pilots were killed today when their helicopter crashed in Londonderry.
They were in a high-speed Gazelle which came down close to the grounds of City of Derry Rugby Club.
Nobody else was on board.
It is believed the helicopter had been on a training flight from Omagh, Co Tyrone, nearly 40 miles away.
Police and military accident investigators began an immediate inquiry, but there were no suggestions of any terrorist involvement.
Ambulance and fire crews rushed to the scene of the crash in the city’s Waterside district.
The helicopter had taken off from Lisanelly Barracks, Omagh, about 15 minutes earlier.
The Gazelle has a maximum speed of 165mph. It is French designed, built under licence by Westland Aircraft. More than 1,000 are in service with armed forces and civil aviation organisations throughout the world.
Northern Ireland Secretary Paul Murphy said he was shocked by the deaths.
He said: “My heart goes out to the families of those killed in this tragic accident. Their terrible loss is a reminder of the dangerous and vital work carried out by army pilots every day.”
