Emergency crews rushed to the Isle of Wight this morning after a helicopter crashed into a field near Shanklin. One person has been airlifted to hospital in Southampton, while details about the condition of the other passengers remain unclear.
Witnesses reported seeing the aircraft “spiralling” before it disappeared from view. The helicopter, a G-OCLV model operated by Northumbria Helicopters, had departed from Sandown Airport around 9 a.m. with four people on board, including the pilot. The company confirmed the flight was part of a training exercise and has pledged full cooperation with investigators.
Police were alerted at 9:24 a.m., quickly closing the A3020 Shanklin Road to allow emergency services access. A major incident was briefly declared at 9:47 a.m. before being scaled back. Fire and rescue teams, the Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, and the Air Accident Investigation Branch (AAIB) are all involved in the response.
Local journalist Darren Toogood of Island Echo described the crash site as being on a busy stretch between Gold Hill and Shanklin—an area crowded with holidaymakers on the August bank holiday weekend. He noted it was “remarkable” that no vehicles were struck, given the heavy traffic at the time.
The AAIB confirmed it is deploying a specialist team to examine the wreckage and determine the cause of the crash. Meanwhile, Hampshire & Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service crews remain on site alongside police and paramedics.
An air ambulance spokesperson said their critical care team, including a doctor and paramedic, arrived at 9:28 a.m. and worked with colleagues from other services to stabilize the injured.
At present, the full circumstances surrounding the crash are unknown, and further updates are expected as the investigation progresses.
