Copyright dailystar
A 70-year-old man has died in a helicopter crash in Doncaster today (October 30), police have confirmed. It comes after emergency services were called to the scene of the crash in Ings Lane, Bentley, at around 10:15 GMT this morning after taking off from Retforf Gamston Airport in Nottinghamshire shortly before the incident. According to South Yorkshire police the pilot, a 41-year-old man and two other passengers , a 58-year-old woman and a 10-year-old boy, received minor injuries. Detective Chief Inspector Gary Magnay, silver commander, said: “Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the man who sadly died in this tragic incident. "We and our emergency services colleagues remain at the scene and we have launched a full joint investigation into the circumstances surrounding the incident in parallel with the AAIB. "As part of our investigation, we'd ask for anyone with information to get in touch. If you were in the area at the time and saw the events unfold, please contact us. We are particularly keen to hear from those with footage of the helicopter leading up to the crash." A massive emergency response was launched earlier today after the helicopter crashed into a field just minutes after take off. The helicopter, thought to be a private flight, plunged into a field just metres from factories on an industrial estate near Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Approximately 30 emergency vehicles were reported at the scene as police, paramedics and fire crews all hurried to the callout, near a food waste recycling firm, on Thursday morning. A worker at the firm told the Daily Star: "There is police everywhere." Air crash investigators are also believed to be at the scene in Bentley, on the outskirts of the city. Debris is said to be strewn across the field. Photos from the scene show the helicopter overturned in a field. A local resident posted on social media: "Five fire engines, loads of ambulances and about 15 police cars have just flown down Ings lane past my work in Bentley... helicopter just landed nearby too. No idea what's gone off but it must be so bad!" A South Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: "At 10.14am today (Thursday 30 October), we were called to Ings Lane, Bentley, where it is reported that a helicopter crashed in a field. Officers and emergency services colleagues are in attendance at the scene." "Ings Lane is closed while we respond to this incident. Please avoid the area and plan an alternative route where possible. Further updates will be provided when they are available." The airport confirmed in a statement: "We can confirm an aircraft based here operated by an onsite tenant has been involved in an incident. We've no further information at this time." Emergency services were first alerted to the incident at around 10.14am and a large cordon is now established around the crash site. Flight data footage seems to show the helicopter deviating from its flight path over the Wheatley Hall Road area before crashing. According to the company's website, the "R44 Raven is easy to maintain, inexpensive to own and operate, and known for steadfast performance." It highlights features such as "a two-bladed rotor system, streamlined instrument panels and a crashworthy fuel system." A spokesperson for the Air Accidents Investigation Branch stated: "The AAIB has been made aware of an accident near Doncaster and has deployed a team to commence an investigation".
