Probe into army copter crash
An investigation was continuing today after an RAF helicopter crashed in Northern Ireland, injuring seven people.
Five soldiers and two civilians were hurt when the Puma helicopter with nine people on board, which was on a routine flight between security force bases, suddenly went down yesterday morning in south Armagh near the village of Jonesborough close to the border.
Six of the injured were airlifted to the Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry Co Armagh while the seventh was taken to Craigavon Area Hospital in Co Down.
The two most seriously injured - a soldier and a civilian - were later transferred to a specialist unit in Belfast.
Two of the nine on board did not require hospital treatment.
Ministry of Defence spokesman Mervyn Winn-Jones said: ‘‘Two of the injured are currently listed as seriously ill and our thoughts go out to them at this time.’’
He said there was no question of any terrorist involvement in the crash.
He added that a board of inquiry would begin investigating the crash this morning.
Mr Winn-Jones described as ‘‘nonsense’’ criticisms that many RAF helicopters were past their sell-by date.
The claims were made by a spokesman for the Celtic League which monitors military activity.
Its spokesman said: ‘‘In April 1998 we expressed concern about the suitability of some of the types operated, due to their age, to HQ British Forces Northern Ireland.
‘‘They, however, rejected our concerns about the semi-obsolescent nature of types such as the Lynx and Puma etc.
Mr Winn-Jones responded: ‘‘This was a Puma helicopter which is an extremely capable and modern aircraft.
‘‘All RAF aircraft are maintained to the highest standards and it is nonsense to suggest that this aircraft is past its sell-by date.’’
The helicopter, based at RAF Aldergrove, was on a routine flight between security force bases in the south Armagh area when the accident occurred near Slieve Gullion.
According to local people, the helicopter crashed as it was approaching the watchtower at Foughill Mountain. As it went into a spin, the tail and main propeller broke off.
Sinn Fein councillor Packie McDonnell, who was at the scene, said the emergency services drove to the foot of the mountain and were then taken to the crash scene by helicopter.
Sinn Fein Assembly member for the area Pat McNamee said it was inevitable that there would be a crash given the increasing levels of army activity in the area.
‘‘I’m thankful that it wasn’t a helicopter travelling to Forkhill or Crossmaglen which are highly-populated areas,’’ he added.
