Helicopter crash in London kills two
Wednesday 16 January 2013
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EmailTwo people were killed and at least six more injured today when a helicopter crashed in central London after being diverted due to bad weather.
The helicopter, flying from Redhill in Surrey to Elstree in Hertfordshire clipped a crane on top of a building in Vauxhall at around 8am, falling to the ground and bursting into flames.
Emergency services said the pilot and someone on the ground were killed.
Policeman Neil Basu told reporters that claims the lights on top of the building and crane were faulty would be investigated as would the role poor weather played in the tragedy.
The pilot was later named as Pete Barnes, who had flown in a number of action films including Die Another Day and Saving Private Ryan.
London Fire Brigades Union said crews reached the scene within four minutes from Clapham fire station, slated for closure under Mayor Boris Johnson's plans for the service.
"We have seen today the sheer unpredictability and scope of emergencies dealt with by London's firefighters. As ever, they delivered," said a London FBU spokesman.
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