FROM BBC NEWS
Seven people are missing after a helicopter crashed into North Sea off the Norfolk coast.
The civilian Super Puma helicopter went down 25 miles north-east of Great Yarmouth on Tuesday night, said the Ministry of Defence.
A total of five people have reportedly been found in the sea.
A massive search and rescue operation is continuing for the other people on board.
An MoD spokesman said: "An RAF Sea King from Wattisham in Suffolk was scrambled at 7.50pm as part of the rescue operation, which is ongoing."
He said coastguards have a vessel looking for casualties.
Search vessels
A spokeswoman for Great Yarmouth coastguards said the helicopter was bringing workers from a North Sea gas field when it ditched.
The helicopter is believed to be owned by the firm Bristow.
The spokeswoman said a rescue helicopter from a military base in Wattisham, Suffolk was in the area along with the Cromer Lifeboat and other vessels.
Rescued casualties had been taken to the Santa Fe Monarch oil rig, the MoD said.
A spokesman for the East Anglia Ambulance NHS Trust in Norfolk said they are liaising with the coastguards.
"We have not received any patients yet but have senior officers at strategic points throughout the north of the county.
"We have crews on standby and will await news from the coastguard as to where survivors will be brought."
The spokesman said the James Paget Hospital, in Gorleston, near Great Yarmouth, was on standby to receive patients.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk/...00/2132618.stm
As in all circumstances such as these, my thoughts are with those involved and their families.