Bond Super Puma helicopter ditches in North Sea off Aberdeen
Passengers and crew from a helicopter which ditched in the North Sea have been flown to hospital.
The incident – about 30 miles east of Aberdeen – involved a Bond EC 225 Super Puma helicopter.
It is understood all 14 people on board made it into a liferaft.
They were picked up and were being flown to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, arriving at about 13:45. Five others were being brought by lifeboat.
The incident, which happened at about 12:15, has been described as a controlled ditching.
The helicopter was heading from Aberdeen to the Maersk Resilient and Ensco 102 drilling rigs when an alert was broadcast.
The response was being co-ordinated by Aberdeen Coastguard.
NHS Grampian said Aberdeen Royal Infirmary’s accident and emergency department was expecting up to 14 admissions for assessment.
Helicopter flights out of Aberdeen have been suspended for the time being.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-18020646