Sixteen are feared dead as helicopter ditches in North Sea

Up to 16 people were feared to have been killed after a helicopter accident in the North Sea today.

Rescue boats and two RAF helicopters were being scrambled to the scene 35  miles from the north-east tip of Scotland. The fate of those on board was not known.

The passengers were travelling in an aircraft operated by Bond Offshore Helicopters, a company which specialises in ferrying workers to and from oil rigs in the North Sea.

The helicopter came down at about 2pm prompting a massive search and rescue operation coordinated by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

A merchant ship nearest to the crash scene launched two "fast rescue craft" to try to pick up survivors. It is not clear how long passengers would be able to survive in the North Sea's extremely cold temperatures.

An Maritime and Coastguard Agency spokeswoman said: "At just before 2pm this afternoon, Aberdeen Coastguard were informed of a ditched Bond helicopter about 35 miles off the coast of Crimond. Two helicopters from the RAF have been scrambled to the scene and a Nimrod marine patrol aircraft has been diverted to the area.

"Aberdeen Coastguard have begun broadcasting a mayday signal into the area. RNLI lifeboats from Peterhead and Fraserburgh are heading for the scene now.

"A variety of vessels have immediately responded and the nearest vessel the Normand Aurora have launched their fast rescue craft to the scene. It is understood that there are 16 people on board the aircraft."

A spokesman for Bond Offshore Helicopters said the company was desperately seeking information on what had happened.

According to Bond's website, the company uses new
Super Puma twin-engined helicopters. It normally operates with two pilots.

Bond has the contract to take BP staff to and from oil rigs, landing at Aberdeen airport.
BP said it was not aware if any of its employees were on board the helicopter.

A spokesman said: "We cannot confirm anything at the moment."