SIXTEEN FEARED DEAD AS NORTH SEA HELICOPTER CRASHES: Eight missing as tragedy strikes offshore

Fraserburgh lifeboat that rushed to the scene

By SHAUN MILNE, PAUL THORNTON & CARA SULIEMAN

BREAKING NEWS:

FEARS are growing tonight that 16-people have been killed after a Super Puma helicopter crashed into the North Sea just 18-miles north-east off Peterhead.

A major air and sea rescue operation was launched just before 2pm with early reports suggesting eight bodies had been recovered just two hours later.

Hopes were fading that anyone would be rescued alive. Two life-rafts were spotted overturned in the water but conditions for the search were said to be good.

Twelve vessels steamed to the scene along with three Sea King rescue choppers, another helicopter owned by operators Bond, two lifeboats from Fraserburgh and Peterhead all co-ordinated by a Nimrod marine patrol craft high above.