A helicopter has been declared a total loss after a dramatic emergency landing on the Isle of Wight, sparking a major emergency response. The incident occurred near the village of Chale, close to the island's renowned southern coast.
The operator of the aircraft confirmed the machine is "unrecoverable" following the crash landing on Tuesday. Despite the severity of the incident, early reports indicate there were no serious injuries.
Emergency Services Scramble to Scene
Multiple emergency service units descended upon the area following reports of the crashing aircraft. Hampshire and Isle of Wight Police confirmed their attendance alongside the Coastguard and other critical response teams.
A spokesperson for the force stated: "We were called just before 2pm to reports a helicopter had made an emergency landing in a field near Chale. Officers are at the scene and working with partners."
Operator Confirms Aircraft Write-Off
The helicopter's operator delivered the sobering assessment that the aircraft was beyond repair. In an official statement, they revealed: "We confirm that one of our helicopters performed a precautionary landing on the Isle of Wight. The aircraft is unrecoverable."
The company emphasised that their primary concern remained the wellbeing of those involved, adding they were "thankful there were no serious injuries" and that they were "cooperating fully with the relevant authorities" as investigations begin.
Coastguard and NHS Respond
His Majesty's Coastguard played a significant role in the operation, coordinating the response to the incident near the coastline. A spokesperson confirmed their involvement, noting: "We sent the Ventnor and Isle of Wight coastguard rescue teams to the scene."
The Isle of Wight NHS Trust also acknowledged the incident, activating its major incident protocol as a precautionary measure, though this was later stood down.
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch has launched a full investigation to determine the cause of the emergency landing, standard procedure for such aviation incidents.
