8 Jan 2014

Bullets at Norfolk helicopter crash scene: four dead

Specialist teams are examining the site of a US military helicopter crash in Norfolk. The bodies of the four service personnel who died may not all be removed before Thursday.

(video of the crash site: A second helicopter from RAF Lakenheath which landed on the marshes shortly after the crash also remains at the scene)

The investigation into Tuesday night’s Pave Hawk crash is being hampered by the fact that it was carrying munitions, meaning that bullets are scattered around the scene.

Emergency services worked throughout the night with the help of military personnel and volunteers after the aircraft from RAF Lakenheath came down at a nature reserve in Cley next the Sea at around 6pm during a low-flying training exercise.

Late on Wednesday RAF Lakeheath named the dead men as Captain Christopher S Stover, Captain Sean M Ruane, Technical Sergeant Dale E Mathews, and Staff Sergeant Afton M Ponce.

Speaking near the scene earlier in the day, Chief Superintendent Bob Scully of Norfolk Police said: “We have currently cordoned off about 400 square metres of the marshland area.

“The crash site itself I would describe as an area of debris on difficult terrain on the marsh that’s about the size of a football pitch.

“It’s not on the beach, although there are some bits of debris which are vulnerable to high tide.”

A second helicopter from RAF Lakenheath which landed on the marshes shortly after the crash also remains at the scene.

Permission to remove bodies

The A149 remains closed through Cley; access to Beach Road and East Bank is also restricted and there is no coastline access to the crash site.

Chief Superintendent Scully warned that the road closures in the immediate vicinity of the crash site could remain in place until Monday and asked for public understanding as the investigation took place.

Mr Scully confirmed that the coroner had given permission for the removal of the bodies from the scene, but added that the process could take some time in order to avoid disturbing any evidence and the process might last until Thursday.

Once the bodies have been removed, the air accident investigators will move in to begin their examination of the site.

Weather not to blame?

A United States Air Force (USAF) spokesman confirmed that the helicopter, an HH-60G Pave Hawk, was based at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk.

Local photographer Brian Egan told Channel 4 News: “I live in Cley village, about a mile from the scene. From what I understand, if the helicopter has crashed, it’s gone down on Cley marches, a nature reserve which is very famous.

“From what I could see when I went to have a look, there was a search and rescue helicopter shining a beam down into the area. There are lof emergency services in the area, coardguards, and they said the military have now taken over the operation.

He continued: “When we arrived, there was a lot of emergency services on the site. It must have happened in the dark.”

Mr Egan dismissed the possibily that the incident was the result of bad weather. “The weather here this evening is quite fine – there’s no inclement weather at the moment.

“I don’t know, but I’d be astounded if what happened was down to the weather.”