Aircraft

An investigation has begun into why an RAF Puma helicopter crashed near Catterick Garrison army base in North Yorkshire, 8 August, killing two people and injuring 10.

The Puma came from RAF Benson in Oxfordshire and crashed near Hudswell Grange, west of Catterick Garrison army base. North Yorkshire Police said the deaths were confirmed at the scene after the crash at about 21.00. Three of the people on board the helicopter were RAF crew, and nine Army personnel were passengers. 

The rescue operation involved aircraft from RAF Leconfield and RAF Boulmer as well as a mountain rescue team from RAF Leeming.

Some of the casualties were taken by RAF Sea King helicopter to the James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, a Yorkshire Ambulance Service spokeswoman said, and others were taken to hospitals in Newcastle, Darlington and Northallerton.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed in a statement the aircraft was part of 33 Squadron, RAF Benson and a board of inquiry will investigate the cause of the accident.

MoD spokesman Michael Mulford told a news source that the helicopter would have been flying "in support of the army in some sort of manoeuvres or training".

He said: "The investigation will go through every possible detail, everything to do with the maintenance of the aircraft, everything to do with crew hours and flying hours as well as weather conditions, mechanics and electrics - everything that you can think of that might contribute to an accident."