Leigh Goldsmith was driving with her mum towards Shanklin when she witnessed a helicopter crash into a field on the Isle of Wight at around 9.20am on Monday
An eyewitness first on the scene of a helicopter crash on the Isle of Wight has revealed she saw the aircraft “spiralling” to the ground before it killed three people.
Leigh Goldsmith was driving with her mum towards Shanklin when she witnessed a helicopter crash into a field at around 9.20am on Monday.
She spotted the aircraft “spiralling” before it quickly disappeared from view and ended up in a hedge.
Speaking to the Isle of Wight County Press, Leigh said it appeared as though airbags under the helicopter had been activated and there were four people aboard the aircraft, two in the front and two in the back.
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She was the first on the scene and immediately rang the police following a fatal helicopter crash that claimed three lives. One survivor was airlifted to hospital and is currently in a serious condition.
Emergency services, including land ambulance, air ambulance and coastguard, were swiftly on the scene.
Hampshire and Isle of Wight police confirmed that three people had been killed following the flying lesson crash.
A spokesperson said: “We can confirm that three people have died following a helicopter crash on the Isle of Wight.
“Four people in total were on board, with one person currently in hospital in a serious condition.
“At this time we are unable to provide further information about the people involved, as efforts continue to contact and support their families.
“We will not be commenting on the circumstances of the incident but continue to work alongside the Air Accident Investigation Branch.
Northumbria Helicopters, the operator of the aircraft, confirmed that four people were on aircraft G-OCLV involved in the crash.
It added: “The flight, which departed from Sandown airport at approximately 9am was carrying four passengers on board including the pilot, and was undertaking a flying lesson.
“Northumbria Helicopters is giving its full cooperation to the authorities investigating this incident.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch said it had launched an investigation into the incident, adding: “A team of inspectors has been sent to the accident site to gather evidence and make inquiries.”
Joe Robertson, MP for the Isle of Wight East, said the helicopter crashed “fairly close to a road that runs between two towns.”
“Where the helicopter came down is fairly rural,” he said. “It’s surrounded by fields and a road that runs from Shanklin and Sandown, which are on the east, quite well-known for their beaches, through to Ventnor in the south, which is part of the rocky part of south of the island.
“It is not in a very populated area, albeit it seems to be fairly close to a road that runs between two towns.”