Search continues for rescue helicopter crew
From:ireland.com
Thursday, 9th December, 2004
A major search is continuing after a Royal Navy Lynx helicopter apparently crashed into the sea with four crew on board while taking part in a rescue operation.
The aircraft had been dispatched after two Royal Navy ratings on board the frigate HMS Montrose heard cries for help and believed there was a man overboard.
But just after 7pm, contact with the Lynx was lost 19 miles off Lizard Point, Cornwall, and a major search and rescue operation was launched.
Aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious was co-ordinating operations at sea, aided by the Montrose and HMS St Albans.
Three military helicopters, two from RNAS Culdrose near Helston, Cornwall, and one with infra-red imaging equipment, have returned to base after several hours searching. Replacement crews were to take over at first light.
A Royal Navy spokesman said the missing aircraft was from RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset. The families of the crew members were last night being informed of the operation to rescue their relatives.
But as the hours passed fears were growing for the missing crew members. A spokesman for RAF Kinloss said: "As every hour goes by you have to be realistic about it. But what fires rescue teams to keep going is the thought that people can and people do survive against the odds."
He continued: "What we don't know is whether they were able to control their landing on the water or whether it was something that happened very quickly."
From:ireland.com
Thursday, 9th December, 2004
A major search is continuing after a Royal Navy Lynx helicopter apparently crashed into the sea with four crew on board while taking part in a rescue operation.
The aircraft had been dispatched after two Royal Navy ratings on board the frigate HMS Montrose heard cries for help and believed there was a man overboard.
But just after 7pm, contact with the Lynx was lost 19 miles off Lizard Point, Cornwall, and a major search and rescue operation was launched.
Aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious was co-ordinating operations at sea, aided by the Montrose and HMS St Albans.
Three military helicopters, two from RNAS Culdrose near Helston, Cornwall, and one with infra-red imaging equipment, have returned to base after several hours searching. Replacement crews were to take over at first light.
A Royal Navy spokesman said the missing aircraft was from RNAS Yeovilton in Somerset. The families of the crew members were last night being informed of the operation to rescue their relatives.
But as the hours passed fears were growing for the missing crew members. A spokesman for RAF Kinloss said: "As every hour goes by you have to be realistic about it. But what fires rescue teams to keep going is the thought that people can and people do survive against the odds."
He continued: "What we don't know is whether they were able to control their landing on the water or whether it was something that happened very quickly."
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