Four killed as copter crashes in thick fog

FOUR PEOPLE have died after a civilian helicopter crashed in thick fog.

The emergency services were called at 7.30pm following reports that the aircraft had come down in Gillingham, near Beccles, Norfolk.

A spokeswoman for Norfolk Police said: “It’s a civilian helicopter, and there were four occupants on board who are all thought to have died in the crash.”

A spokeswoman for East of England Ambulance Service said: “Sadly, it is believed that four people in the helicopter are believed to have died in the crash. Ambulance resources have now been stood down from the scene.

“Our thoughts are with the family and friends of those who have lost their lives tonight.”

Roland Bronk, owner of The Swan House inn and restaurant in Beccles, said it was “very foggy” in the area. Mr Bronk said he heard customers talk about “a lot of police activity and ambulances”.

One resident took to Twitter to say thick fog might have played a part in the crash, adding: “Helicopter crashed very close to my house in Gillingham tonight. I heard it flying over the house.

He added: “Can’t see my hand in front of my face.”

Helen Roberts, a forecaster at the Met Office, confirmed that large parts of East Anglia had been hit by mist last night.

She said: “There has certainly been some fog around south Norfolk and the Norwich area.”

A spokesman for the A ir Accidents Investigation Branch said it will be sending a team to investigate.