Briton among seven killed in oilrig crash

Published on Thursday 4 September 2008 22:11

A BRITON died when a helicopter crashed into an oilrig off the coast of Dubai, the country's civil aviation authority said yesterday.

The helicopter came down as its crew tried to take off from the rig, killing all seven on board.

The Bell 212 helicopter had been about to depart on a routine flight when it plummeted on to the deck of the drilling rig, broke into pieces and plunged into the sea.

Following the crash a fire broke out on the rig's deck, but it was quickly extinguished. No-one on the rig was harmed.

The crash caused the Rashid oilfield to be shut down, the operator of Dubai's offshore oilfields confirmed.

The civil aviation authority of the United Arab Emirates launched an investigation into the crash, which took place at 5:23pm British time on Wednesday. It said the helicopter's two crew members and five passengers were all killed.

No identities were to be released until families had been informed.