Survivors of Super Puma crash win up to £3m in compensation

SURVIVORS of a North Sea helicopter crash which killed four people have won millions in compensation.

James Nugent, a survivor of the Super Puma crash in 2013. Picture: Hemedia

The Super Puma helicopter plunged into the sea off Shetland in August 2013.

Oil workers Duncan Munro, 46, from Bishop Auckland in County Durham; George Allison, 57, from Winchester, Hampshire; Sarah Darnley, 45, from Elgin and Gary McCrossan, 59, from Inverness, died.

Both pilots and 12 remaining passengers escaped and now nine of the survivors have won compensation of between £2.5 million and £3m.

Lisa Gregory of law firm Digby Brown, which represented the claimants, said: “Our clients were a group of people who were just going to work when their lives were changed in some of the worst ways imaginable.

“The cases were about providing them with access to legal recourse and fair compensation. All of those involved in the incident will have to live with its effects and repercussions for the rest of their lives. The settlements will hopefully allow those affected by the events of that night to move on with dignity.”

• READ MORE: Ditched Super Puma helicipters had gearbox cracks

Investigators found pilots failed to properly monitor the flight instruments on approaching Sumburgh Airport on Shetland.

A final report by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) issued in March found no mechanical fault with the helicopter, which was returning from the Borgsten Dolphin support vessel to Sumburgh.

The investigators made several recommendations, including a requirement for pilots who are licensed to fly through bad weather to receive regular training on how to read the flight instruments which are specific to the type of helicopter being operated.

They called for helicopters, which already must have cockpit voice recorders, to be fitted with devices to capture images.

The AAIB also recommended that large helicopters certified for offshore operation should only have cabin seating layouts, which would mean that in an emergency each exit would need to be used by no more than two passengers.

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