Memorial for Irish Sea helicopter victims

A memorial service will be held today for seven men killed in a helicopter crash.

A memorial service will be held today for seven men killed in a helicopter crash.

Five gas workers and two pilots died when their aircraft plunged into the Irish Sea in Morecambe Bay on December 27th last year.

The Dauphin helicopter had been making an early evening trip between gas platforms picking up workers when it crashed as it approached the North Morecambe rig.

Leslie Ahmed (48); Simon Foddering (33); Alfred Neasham (57); Steve Potton (52); John Shaw (51); Keith Smith (57); and Robert Warburton (60) will be remembered at a service at Lancaster Priory at 11am.

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A preliminary report into the crash by the Air Accident Investigation Branch published at the end of January found no evidence of major mechanical failure.

The helicopter pitched and banked before hitting the water at around 126 knots, it said.