Local council confirms ‘tragic incident’
Shanklin Town Council has released a full statement on the helicopter crash this morning.
It reads: “Shanklin Town Council was shocked to hear about the incident involving a pleasure flight helicopter crash landing on the outskirts of the town.
“This bank holiday, as well as hosting the scooter rally on the island, has many organised events that run from Sandown airport.
“One of those is the regular flights that give visitors the ability to view the coastline from the air.
“This is a tragic accident and the pilot deserves huge credit for bringing down the helicopter in a field away from any built up areas.
“Our thoughts and prays are with the individuals involved as well as their immediate families, not forgetting the quick action and professionalism of our emergency services.”
Steffie Banatvala25 August 2025 14:47
Rural crash site cordoned off by police
Police have cordoned off the site where the crash took place on the Isle of Wight, according to the BBC.
Emergency vehicles are parked at the scene.
Steffie Banatvala25 August 2025 14:18
Firefighters called to scene of crash
We have just received the latest statement from firefighters who are also at the scene.
A Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said: “Firefighters from Newport, Ventnor and Shanklin were called out shortly before 09.30am on Monday, 25 August, following reports of a light aircraft incident near Shanklin Road.”
A spokesman for the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) said: “The AAIB was notified of an accident involving a light helicopter on the Isle of Wight this morning. We are deploying a team to commence an investigation.”
Steffie Banatvala25 August 2025 13:52
Air flights restricted around the crash scene: local media
Restrictions on air flights have been put in place around the scene of the crash, according to the Isle of Wight County Press.
It comes after one person was airlifted to hospital. Details of whether there were casualties have not yet been confirmed.
Steffie Banatvala25 August 2025 12:52
Air Accidents branch currently deploying team to investigate
The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) has said it is in the process of launching an investigation.
“The AAIB was notified of an accident involving a light helicopter on the Isle of Wight this morning. We are deploying a team to commence an investigation.”
Steffie Banatvala25 August 2025 12:32
Initial witness report suggests four people were on board
Witness Leigh Goldsmith told the Isle of Wight County Press she was driving towards Shanklin when she saw the helicopter “spiralling” before it went out of sight and came down in a hedge.
She said she was the first on the scene and saw there were four people on board, and she believed the airbags had been activated.
Steffie Banatvala25 August 2025 12:19
Breaking: one person has been airlifted to major trauma centre
One person has been airlifted to hospital in Southampton following the helicopter crash on the Isle of Wight, according to the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.
She said: “We have treated and airlifted one patient to the major trauma centre, University Hospital Southampton. Our thoughts are with them, and everyone involved in today’s incident.”
Steffie Banatvala25 August 2025 12:17
Mapped: helicopter crashes in a field near Ventnor
A helicopter has crashed in a field near Ventnor and the A3020 Shanklin Road, police said.
A woman told the Isle of Wight County Press she saw the helicopter come down in a hedge as she was driving towards Shanklin.
Steffie Banatvala25 August 2025 12:04
Emergency services deployed within four minutes
After a call at 9.24am alerted police to a crash near Shanklin road, according to police, emergency services were deployed in just four minutes.
A spokeswoman for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance said: “We can confirm our dispatchers deployed the air ambulance at 09.28 to an incident near Ventnor on the Isle of Wight today.
“The critical care team consisting of a doctor and a specialist paramedic are on scene working alongside our emergency service colleagues.”
Firefighters from Newport, Ventnor and Shanklin were also called out shortly before 09.30am, a Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service spokeswoman said.
Steffie Banatvala25 August 2025 11:45