Five people seriously injured in helicopter crash at North Yorkshire airfield
Two casualties rushed to hospital by air ambulance and probe launched after aircraft comes down at Breighton Aerodrome
FIVE people have been seriously injured after a helicopter crashed in East Yorks this evening.
A spokesman for Humberside Fire and Rescue said the crash happened at Breighton Aerodrome.
All five of the injured people have now been rushed to hospital – including two of the casualties who were taken by air ambulance to Leeds General Hospital and Hull Royal Infirmary.
The victims - all male - are being treated for various injuries, including head, back, chest and leg.
Their injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.
The aircraft is reported to have come down at the side of the runway of the former Second World War bomber base near Selby.
North Yorks Fire Service said all the men had escaped the wreckage by the time rescuers arrived on the scene.
Police were called at 6.07pm this evening and the Air Accident Investigation Branch has launched an investigation into the crash.
Emergency services remain at the scene.
According to the Aerodrome’s website, the facility is now home to “an active flying club whose members own and operate many unusual, classic and ex-military aircraft”.
The small airfield is now used mainly by light aircraft and private helicopters.
Two people escaped serious injury there in April when a Piper light aircraft crashed through a hedge at the end of the runway and skidded onto a road.
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Speaking to at the time, Tony Smith of Breighton Aerodrome said: “The aircraft went through a hedge at the end of the runway. The aircraft is destroyed.
"I would say they were pretty lucky.
"The airplane was recovered by rescue people at the airfield.
"It was recovered by staff within half an hour. The road was cleared fairly promptly."
The Aerodrome was also the scene of a Scarface-style cocaine-smuggling attempt in 2014.
Three members of a drug gang were jailed for a total of 66 years after landing there in a light aircraft laden with £5million-worth of the Class A drug.
Cops swooped to find Pilot Andrew "Biggles" Wright, 52, at the scene – along with 34kg of uncut white power in bags and suitcases.
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