Extracts from latest Statements by Shell
North Sea Helicopter Crash Update
"On behalf of the joint accident investigation team, Shell U.K. Exploration and Production can advise that the specialist survey vessels continued the search for the missing people and the wreckage of the helicopter throughout the night. The sonar contacts on the sea bed identified by the Geosearcher vessel were evaluated using an ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) deployed from the Kommander Subsea.
At approximately 08.00 this morning wreckage was located together with three bodies.
The location of this wreckage was close to the most probable crash site based on witness statements and analysis of radar data. Plans are currently being developed to position the DSV Mayo over the site to allow divers to recover the bodies when tidal and current conditions allow safe diving to take place.
At this stage we are not sure how much of the helicopter has been found and therefore the search for the remaining three missing persons and wreckage continues.
The names of those whose bodies have been recovered and identified are:
Stuart Coggon (45), from Middlesbrough.
Draughtsman with Amec Offshore Development.
Philip George Stone, (53), from Norwich.
Senior Engineer with Amec Offshore Development.
Kevin John Taylor, (50), from Norwich.
Technician with Amec Offshore Development.
Denis Andrew Kelleher, (40), from Lancashire.
Medic with Oilfield Medical Services.
Angus MacArthur, (38), from Dingwall.
Surveyor with Hi-Cad Technical.
The other six on board were:
Geoffrey Bispham (51), from Norfolk.
Operations Supervisor with Shell Expro.
David Christopher Graves, (33), from Suffolk.
Operations Technician with Shell Expro.
Douglas Paul Learwood, (40), from Middlesbrough.
Instrument Technician with Shell Expro.
Paul Leo Francis, (48), from Norfolk.
Technician with Industrial Controls.
Phillip Mark Wake, (42), from Norwich.
Captain with Bristow Helicopters Ltd.
Phillip James Dearden, (32), from Norwich.
First Officer with Bristow helicopters Ltd.
Let us hope and pray that the bodies in the helicopter will be recovered and identified soon, and the missing three found, so that their families will be relieved of the additional anguish they must be suffering because of the uncertainty they face at present.
Heliport
Moderator