A Robinson R44 helicopter on a training flight crashed near Shanklin on the Isle of Wight, killing three people and leaving one seriously injured. The aircraft with registration G-OCLV, operated by Northumbria Helicopters, had taken off from Sandown Airport about 20 minutes earlier.
Witnesses reported seeing the helicopter “spiralling” before it came down in a field beside road A3020. Emergency services launched a major incident response, and one survivor was airlifted to University Hospital Southampton.
Authorities are supporting the victims’ families while the Air Accidents Investigation Branch investigates the crash. Local officials praised the pilot for avoiding built-up areas, noting the island was busy with bank holiday events at the time.
Helicopter crashes near Ventnor, Isle of Wight, UK on A3020 Shanklin Rd. One person airlifted to hospital; number of others on board unclear. pic.twitter.com/WOtaH5cuVP
— Polymarket Intel (@PolymarketIntel) August 25, 2025
An investigation is underway after a helicopter crashed during a flying lesson near Ventnor on the Isle of Wight this morning, with four people on board. One person was airlifted to hospital after the crash.
Read more ??https://t.co/FatnnP1Dg4 pic.twitter.com/IH0xPV7yhM
— Sky News (@SkyNews) August 25, 2025