A 70-year-old man has died and three others, including a child, have been injured after a helicopter crashed in a field near Doncaster, South Yorkshire Police have confirmed.
Emergency services were called to the crash site off Ings Lane in Bentley at around 10:15 GMT on Sunday morning. Despite the best efforts of paramedics, the older man was pronounced dead at the scene.
Police said the helicopter had taken off shortly before from Retford Gamston Airport in Nottinghamshire, about 20 miles away.
The pilot, a 41-year-old man, along with two passengers — a 58-year-old woman and a 10-year-old boy — sustained minor injuries and were taken to hospital for treatment.
Detective Inspector Matt Bolger, who is leading the investigation, said: “Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of the man who sadly died in this tragic incident. We are doing all we can to support them during this difficult time.”
Investigation launched
South Yorkshire Police are working alongside the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) to establish the cause of the crash.
Det Insp Bolger appealed for witnesses and urged anyone with footage or information about the incident to come forward.
“We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who saw the helicopter before it came down or who has any video of it in the air,” he said.
The crash site remains cordoned off while specialist investigators and emergency crews continue to examine the wreckage. Police confirmed that a no-fly zone for drones had been implemented to ensure safety and preserve evidence.
A spokesperson for Retford Gamston Airport confirmed that the aircraft involved was operated by a tenant based at the airfield. “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,” they said.
An AAIB spokesperson said a team of specialists in aircraft operations, engineering and data analysis had been deployed to the site to assist in the investigation.
Eyewitness accounts and local reaction
Eyewitnesses reported seeing the helicopter flying unusually low shortly before the crash. Curtis Borkowski, who works on a nearby building site, said he noticed the aircraft heading towards Bentley about 10 minutes before news of the crash broke.
“As it flew over Doncaster, the engine sounded really bad,” he said.
Rebecca Booth, who represents Bentley on Doncaster Council, described the community as being “in shock”.
“It’s a lovely, thriving community and everyone sticks together,” she said. “Things like this will have an impact on people.”
Energy Secretary and Doncaster North MP Ed Miliband called the news “devastating”, adding: “My thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim of this terrible incident. I know the whole of Doncaster will be united in their sympathy.”
Local resident Lee Needham praised the pilot’s apparent actions, saying the crash site was close to homes, train tracks and electrical pylons. “Whoever was piloting the helicopter more than likely saved numerous lives,” he said.
