Helicopter crash on Isle of Wight kills 3 during training flight

LONDON — Tragedy struck on the Isle of Wight as a helicopter crash claimed the lives of three individuals and left one person critically injured during a flight lesson. The incident involving a Robinson R44 II helicopter occurred just before 9:30 a.m., with the pilot and three passengers onboard, according to authorities.

Northumbria Helicopters, the operator of the aircraft, confirmed that the crash took place during a training session. The survivor of the crash was swiftly airlifted to the trauma center at University Hospital Southampton for urgent medical attention.

Eyewitness Leigh Goldsmith recounted the harrowing sight of the helicopter spiraling down into a hedge while she was driving, as reported by the Isle of Wight County Press. The U.K.’s Air Accidents Investigation Branch has dispatched a team of inspectors to the site to determine the cause of the tragic crash.