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Old 20th Sep 2004, 09:59
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BBC Website Update

The BBC website has just been updated:

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Helicopter crash inquiry begins

An investigation has begun into the cause of a helicopter crash in the Highlands in which one man died and another has been seriously injured.

Police believe the R44 four-seat helicopter was returning from Perth when it crashed into Ardsheal Hill south of Ballachulish on Sunday night.

The passenger, Neil Sutherland, 68, from Kentallen, was killed. The 51-year-old pilot is in hospital.

The weather at the time of the crash was extremely poor.

The alarm was raised when a helicopter pilot in the area heard another helicopter shortly before 2100 BST.

The man heard a thump and saw a fireball on the steep hillside at Kentallen Bay. A farmer found pieces of burning wreckage.

'Atrocious' weather

The Glencoe Mountain Rescue team was called out and the pilot was flown by search-and-rescue helicopter from HMS Gannett at Prestwick to Belford Hospital in Fort William.

He was suffering from spine and pelvis injuries.

Rescuers described weather conditions in the area at the time as "atrocious".

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch is launching an inquiry into the cause of the crash.

Two investigators are expected to arrive at the scene in mid-afternoon on Monday.

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RIP Neil Sutherland
Best wishes to the pilot - lets hope he makes a full recovery.