The day a chopper crashed yards from a primary school
CAN you imagine the shock as you watch a Royal Navy Sea King helicopter crash land on playing fields in between a primary school and an old people’s home? Well, this is exactly what happened some 33 years ago.
The location of the crash landing was in a small village halfway between Carmarthen and Llanelli back in June 1989. The Sea King helicopter developed issues and as it was hovering to land, the pilot lost control and crashed in the playing fields.
The residents of the village were left terrified as debris flew up in the air like bullets around the area. Amazingly, no-one was hurt in the crash, thanks to Royal Navy pilot lieutenant Alan Novelli steering the stricken chopper to the empty field.
Residents ran for their lives and schoolchildren cowered behind a wall as the helicopter with a full tank of fuel hit the fields and debris shot out, with pieces of shrapnel flying into the local homes. A 15t length of rotor blade speared a roadside drain and was left hanging over the pavement.
The drama began for the 12-strong crew of the aircraft just after they flew over Carmarthen
Commanding Officer lieutenant commander Mike Mason said at the time of the incident: “We were coming down from Scotland to our base at Culdrose, Cornwall, after picking up fuel in RAF Valley, Anglesey, when we felt vibration. This was at about 1,000ft.
“We came down for a suitable field to land on but as we came in to hover at about 10-15ft the pilot lost control of the tail rotor and we started spinning. He lowered us down to land but as he did so we turned over and rolled to the side.”
Lt Cdr Mason paid tribute to pilot Lt Alan Novelli: “He did very well to get us down safely with only bumps and bruises.”
The commander’s praises were echoed by Ponthenri Primary School’s headteacher, Mrs Pat Rowlands, who said: “I think the pilot did very well to act so quickly.”
Mrs Rowlands, with the help of teacher Royston James and supply teacher Mrs V James, evacuated the primary school’s 67 pupils when she saw the helicopter circling over the sports field. In less than a minute, the youngsters were crouched behind a wall in case there was an explosion.
Parts from the rotor arm thudded into a bedroom window at the home of Mrs Perina Thomas, 36, of Coedmawr, who was inside with her young son and blind mother-in-law.
“There were bits and pieces from the helicopter all over the place – but I am too shaken up to think how much the damage will cost to repair, “said Mrs Thomas.
“I found steel washers embedded in the wall of the house. One side window was smashed in my 14-year-old stepson Ricky’s bedroom and there was a hole in the bedroom wall.”
Six children from the village school, who were among the 67 evacuated just before the crash took place, later graphically described their ordeal in poems which were sent to the local paper by their headteacher.