From Norfolk Police Website
8 January 2014 I 07:59
With daylight approaching the multi-agency investigation into the helicopter crash on the North Norfolk coast will continue.
A USAF Pave Hawk HH60 helicopter from RAF Lakenheath crashed at the north end of East Bank on the Norfolk Wildlife Trust Cley Marshes Nature Reserve at around 7pm yesterday evening, Tuesday 7 January 2014.
The four occupants in the helicopter sadly died in the crash, details of the deceased will not be released until next of kin have been informed. It is not believed that anyone in the surrounding area has been injured.
The crash site, which lies to the west of East Bank in marshland between the A149 and the coastline, remains cordoned off today, Wednesday 8 January, for the safety of the public and those working to investigate the crash and recover the wreckage.
A second helicopter from RAF Lakenheath which landed on the marshes shortly after the crash also remains at the scene.
Chief Superintendent Bob Scully from Norfolk Constabulary, said: "In order to carry out a thorough investigation in a safe manner, the area will remain cordoned off with no access for the general public.
"We will be working with our partners at the Ministry of Defence, Air Accident Investigation Branch and US Air Force to gather all evidence from the scene and then recover the aircraft.
"This is difficult terrain with marshland and tides coupled with wreckage containing munitions covering a large area.
"We must undertake this investigation and recovery operation in a careful and methodical way so we can provide answers as to why this crash happened.
"For reasons of safety it is essential that members of the public adhere to the cordon. The popular activities of walking and bird-watching in this area will therefore be restricted until we have completed these tasks and ensured the marshes are safe.”
The A149 remains closed through Cley; access to Beach Road and East Bank is also restricted and there is no coastline access to the crash site.
8 January 2014 | 05:30
Emergency services and military personnel remain at the scene of a helicopter crash on the North Norfolk coast in which four people have died.
A USAF Pave Hawk HH60 helicopter from RAF Lakenheath crashed at the north end of East Bank on the Norfolk Wildlife Trust Cley Marshes Nature Reserve at around 7pm yesterday evening, Tuesday 7 January 2014.
Police can now confirm that the four occupants in the helicopter sadly died in the crash, details of the deceased will not be released until next of kin have been informed. It is not believed that anyone in the surrounding area has been injured.
A 400m cordon remains around the crash site which lies to the west of East Bank in marshland between the A149 and the coastline. A second helicopter from RAF Lakenheath was also in the area at the time of the crash and set down on the marshes to try to assist, this was within the cordon and so this aircraft remains at the scene whilst inquiries are ongoing. The A149 remains closed through Cley; access to Beach Road and East Bank is also restricted and there is no coastline access to the crash site.
Investigators from the police and other partners have visited the crash site to assess the scene. Due to the geography and the munitions from the crashed helicopter, inquiries into the cause of the collision, the recovery of the wreckage and second aircraft and an environmental assessment are expected to take a number of days to complete. To ensure the safety of people in the area and those involved in the ongoing inquiries, members of the public are asked to respect the cordons that are in place.
Assistant Chief Constable Sarah Hamlin said: “I would like to pass on my condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of those US Air Force personnel who have sadly lost their lives in this tragic incident. Emergency services, the military, partner agencies and volunteers have been working through the night to deal with this difficult situation on our coastline and I would also like to thank them for their professionalism and resilience.
“As our inquiry moves on today and the recovery of the aircraft begins, I would urge the public to stay away from the area – the cordon and road closures are in place to allow our experts to carry out these processes safely and there is no risk to members of the public if this section of marshland is avoided.”
7 January 2014 I 22:50
Officers are currently at the scene of a helicopter crash which is thought to have taken place at around 7pm this evening in the A149 Salthouse area on the North Norfolk coast.
The helicopter has been confirmed as a USAF Pave Hawk HH60 helicopter from RAF Lakenheath and four occupants are thought to have died in the crash. Next of kin will be informed before further details on the victims are released.
It is not believed that anyone in the surrounding area has been injured. However, there remains a 400m cordon around the site, which is standard for this type of incident, whether civil or military. An assessment is still being carried out around the munitions which may be on the aircraft and advice from the military is being taken.
All emergency services are at the scene while investigations continue. To ensure their safety, members of the public are asked to respect the cordons that are in place as enquiries are ongoing.
7 January 2014 I 21:25
Police are currently dealing with a single helicopter crash in the Cley area, on the North Norfolk coast.
There are believed to be four fatalities.
Officers are on the scene, with a 400 metre area cordoned off. More details to follow.