Two people have died after a helicopter crashed into a field in a village in North Yorkshire, police said. The force said the incident happened shortly before midday and people are “urged” to avoid the area.
The statement from police said: “A full investigation is under way into the cause of a helicopter crash near Ingleton. The incident happened shortly before midday in a field off Bentham Road near Burton in Lonsdale.
“Two people were sadly killed as a result of the crash. Their families are being supported by specially trained officers. There is a full road closure at the A65 and at the junction of Bentham Moor Road.
“People are urged to continue to avoid the area. We thank local residents for their patience and co-operation.”
The incident happened near to the Lancashire and Cumbria border. There is no information as yet as to the cause of the crash.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has issued a statement today, saying: "The AAIB has been notified of an accident in Burton in Lonsdale, North Yorkshire involving a light helicopter. An investigation has been launched and a team of inspectors are travelling to the accident site to begin making enquiries."
The Yorkshire Air Ambulance Service attended the incident, a spokeswoman confirmed, but she could not provide further details. Yorkshire Ambulance Service also said it “dispatched a number of resources to the scene” but gave no further details.
The fire service has also been contacted for comment. No one else is believed to have been on board.
The helicopter is understood to come down in a field near the Rivers Edge Caravan Park. It has been reported that more than 30 emergency service vehicles are at the scene of the crash.
This is a developing story and updates will be provided shortly
