Man dies in helicopter crash in Doncaster

A 70-year-old man has died and three other people have been injured in a helicopter crash in Doncaster, police have confirmed.

Emergency services were called to a field off Ings Lane, Bentley, at about 10:15 GMT.

The aircraft had taken off from Retford Gamston Airport, in Nottinghamshire, shortly before it crashed.

The pilot, a 41-year-old man, and two other passengers, a 58-year-old woman and a 10-year-old boy, received minor injuries, South Yorkshire Police said.

South Yorkshire Police and the government’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) have launched a joint investigation into the incident.

Det Ch Insp Gary Magnay said: “Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the man who sadly died in this tragic incident.”

He asked anyone who saw the crash or had information about the incident to contact officers.

“We are particularly keen to hear from those with footage of the helicopter leading up to the crash,” he added.

He said the road remained closed and officers and emergency services remain at the scene.

Retford Gamston Airport said in a short statement: “We can confirm an aircraft based here, operated by an onsite tenant, has been involved in an incident.

“We’ve no further information at this time.”

The BBC’s Liz Roberts is at the scene and said a large police cordon had been put in place and a private ambulance had attended.

“About 500m down the lane from where I’m standing I can see more police activity, by the side of the field the helicopter crashed in,” she said.

“The scene is no longer accessible. There’s a no-fly zone for drones and the road has been closed by the Refood bioenergy site.”

Lee Needham, who lives in the area, said the crash site was close to houses, train tracks, industrial units and electrical pylons.

“Whoever was piloting the helicopter more than likely saved numerous lives,” he said.