London helicopter crash's Cornish link: full report
The helicopter which crashed in London this morning, killing the pilot and one person on the ground was owned by a Cornish company Castle Air, based in Liskeard.
Robert Murphy reports:
The helicopter that crashed into a crane in South London claiming the lives of two, was registered to a Cornish Company. Castle Air Charters are based in Liskeard, and specialise in chartered helicopter flights across the county.
The helicopter which crashed in London this morning, killing the pilot and one person on the ground was owned by a Cornish company Castle Air, based in Liskeard.
Robert Murphy reports:
Ross Bunyard, the Managing Director of Castle Air, based in Liskeard, reads a statement in response to the helicopter crash that killed two people in London.
It has been confirmed to ITV News West Country that the helicopter involved in the London crash this morning was owned by Castle Air Charters of Liskeard.
The helicopter was on a long lease to RotorMotion, a company which counts among its clients the Prince of Wales, Prime Minister David Cameron, former PM Tony Blair and the Dalai Lama.
There's been no comment so far from Castle Air Charters on reports that the crash helicopter is registered to them. A spokesman says they will release a statement later today.
– Castle Air websiteNestled in the Cornish countryside you will find Castle Air's facility, arguably one of the best in the country.Inside you will find numerous helicopters mainly Agusta 109s owned by Castle Air, and a dedicated team of engineers in attendance.
The helicopter which crashed into a crane in central London this morning [Wednesday] was registered to Cornish company, Castle Air.
Castle Air describes itself as the UK's 'premier helicopter service' and has been operating since 1979. Its choppers are used to transport VIPs and it also specialises in aerial filming, with credits including Treasure Hunt, Top Gear, Time Team and Robbie Williams' 'Angels' video.
The firm mostly flies twin-engine, eight-seat Agusta 109 helicopters - like the one that plummeted into the ground in Vauxhall. The helicopters have been built by the Anglo-Italian manufacturer AgustaWestland, who are based in Yeovil.
The two people killed when a Cornish-registered helicopter crashed into a crane in London were the pilot and someone on the ground, emergency services said.
The helicopter that crashed into a crane in South London was registered to a Cornish company. The incident has claimed two lives. Five others have been taken to hospital.
It's been understood that the plane was an Agusta 109, which was registered to Castle Air Charters. Castle Air are based in Trebrown near Liskeard and specialise in chartered helicopter flights across the county. It's main business is in providing helicopters for use in TV and film.
The pilot of the helicopter had requested to divert and land at London Heliport at Battersea due to bad weather, a spokesman for the owners of the heliport told the Press Association.