Police helicopter crew in 'lucky' escape from crash

A POLICE air crew who escaped serious injury when their helicopter flipped upside down on landing have been described as "lucky to be alive".

All four men were able to walk away from the wreckage of the overturned Eurocopter Squirrel after it flipped yesterday, close to the site of last weekend's fatal helicopter crash high in the Mountains of Mourne in Northern Ireland.

They had been taking part in the ongoing operation following Saturday's tragedy near Hilltown, Co Down, in which three men were killed, including a close friend of Prince Charles.

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Assistant Chief Constable Alistair Finlay said: "We believe the helicopter was going to land close to Saturday's crash site when the incident occurred.

"The helicopter turned upside down but all four people on board were able to get out. They are lucky to be alive."

Bad weather prevented the shaken crew - a pilot, photographer, observer and emergency team officer - being taken off the mountainside immediately and they were treated in tents for three hours until a RAF rescue helicopter was finally given the all clear to take to hospital.