Eight airlifted to hospital after RAF helicopter crashes
Eight people have been airlifted to hospital after an RAF helicopter crashed into a mountain in Northern Ireland.
The Puma helicopter was carrying troops to an Army watchtower when it suddenly went down near the village of Jonesborough close to the border in south Armagh.
There were no reports of any deaths and the injured were taken to the nearby Daisy Hill Hospital in Newry Co Down.
Two men were trapped in the mangled wreckage for almost two hours before being freed and taken to hospital.
An Army spokesman said there was no question of any terrorist involvement in the crash, which was probably down to mechanical failure.
"We can definitely rule that one out," he said.
According to locals, the helicopter crashed as it was approaching the watchtower at Foughill Mountain. They said that as it lost control and went into a spin, the tail and main propeller broke off.
Locals counted about eight casualties being carried away by stretcher.
It is believed a number of civilian contract workers may be among the injured.
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.
A spokesman for Daisy Hill Hospital said that around six soldiers had been brought in suffering from various injuries.
"They are being medically assessed by our people. Everything is in full order. All the consultants and staff that need to be in are working on the injured," he added.
