13 dead in tragic helicopter accident

The police has confirmed that the 13 people on board a helicopter on assignement for Statoil are feared dead.  The CHC helicopter crashed on Friday, en route from the Gullfaks B platform in the North Sea to Bergen on the West Coast of Norway.

11 bodies have been recovered, and the search continued throughout Saturday for the two persons still missing.

There were two pilots and 11 passengers on board the helicopter. The production at Gullfaks B has been temporarily shut down, and emergency personnel has been sent out to assist those on board.

A centre for next of kin has been established at Scandic Bergen Airport Hotel, where a minister to seamen, psychologists and other personnel with experience from following up next of kin and others affected are available.

Statoil has temporarily grounded all equivalent traffic helicopters.

(NRK/Press release)

http://www.norwaypost.no/index.php/news/latest-news/31083