Investigation underway as US Air Craft helicopter crash in Norfolk kills four

How a US helicopter, described as having “the best safety record of any that the US has ever owned", crashed is being investigated.

17:11 08 January 2014

A US helicopter, which is described as having “the best safety record of any helicopter that the US has ever owned" has crashed into marshland at Cley next to the sea at about 6pm on Tuesday killing four crew members. The US Air Force said that the crash of HH-60 Pave Hawk is now being investigated.

The Hawk was stationed with the 48th Air Wing at the US Air Force base at RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk and it crashed during a routine low-level training exercise. Emergency services worked throughout the night to secure the crash sites, with some debris threatened by tidal waters.

A statement from the US Air Force said: "US military officials are coordinating the recovery efforts with the UK police and the Ministry of Defence.”

"The authorities have secured the crash site and established a cordon.”

"The aircraft, assigned to the 48th Fighter Wing, was performing a low-level training mission along the coast when the crash occurred."

Chief Superintendent Bob Scully of Norfolk Police added that investigation is underway. "We are moving from a potential recovery operation to one of preserving the scene and carrying out an investigation."