Vauxhall helicopter crash
| Accident | |
|---|---|
| Date | 16 January 2013 |
| Site | London, United Kingdom |
| Aircraft | |
| Aircraft type | Agusta AW109 |
| Passengers | 0 |
| Crew | 1 |
| Fatalities | 2 (1 on ground) |
| Injuries | 9 (on ground) |
 | This article documents a current event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses, and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. |
On 16 January 2013, a helicopter crashed in Vauxhall, London. The incident involved an unidentified Agusta AW109 helicopter crashing into a construction crane near St George Wharf Tower at Vauxhall Bridge.[1] At 0930 GMT, the Metropolitan Police confirmed that two people had died in the incident.[2] Photos of the scene suggest that wreckage landed in Wandsworth Road outside Wendle Court.[2]
A BBC reporter suggested the crash happened when the helicopter "crashed in heavy mist".[2] The location of the incident was near Vauxhall bus station, where eyewitnesses suggested there was a "ball of flame".[3] Two cars might also have been involved according to Transport for London, the body corporate responsible for transport in Greater London.[4] An eye-witness told BBC News that they heard a "weird buzzing noise" around 0800 GMT.[5]
South West Trains advised passengers that Vauxhall's train station was closed during the incident.[6] First Capital Connect warned passengers against travelling in the area.[7]
According to reports, London Heliport in Battersea contacted the RNLI after it had lost contact with one of its craft. A lifeboat was scrambled but was later stood down.[8]
In 1991 the Labour Member of Parliament for the Vauxhall constituency tabled a Ten Minute Rule Bill to tighten the rules on helicopter and heliport legislation[9], although the Bill was not successful in becoming law.
References
- ^ "Two killed and at least 11 injured as helicopter crashes into crane on new Thames-side skyscraper and plunges into rush-hour traffic". Daily Mail. 16 January 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
- ^ a b c "London helicopter crash: Two die in Vauxhall crane accident". BBC Online. 16 January 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
- ^ "Helicopter crashes in Vauxhall, central London". Daily Telegraph. 16 January 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
- ^ "Helicopter crash in London: Two killed, nine injured in scenes of 'absolute madness and fear'". The Evening Standard. 16 January 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
- ^ "Helicopter crash: 'I heard unusual buzzing sound'". BBC Online. 16 January 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
- ^ SWT status Twitter account South West Trains
- ^ Travel problems after helicopter crash ITV News
- ^ "Two dead in Helicopter crash". ITV News. 16 January 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2013.
- ^ Helicopters and Heliports Bill Hansard - House of Commons