Isle of Wight helicopter crash: Three killed, one seriously injured in horror flying lesson tragedy

Amy Lee
The Nightly
FILE - A helicopter has crashed on the Isle of Wight.
FILE - A helicopter has crashed on the Isle of Wight. Credit: AAP

A horrific helicopter crash off the south coast of England has claimed the lives of three people and left one other fighting for their life.

Emergency services rushed to the scene after the aircraft plunged from the sky near Shanklin on the Isle of Wight shortly before 9.30am on Monday.

The helicopter is believed to have been on a flying lesson at the time, with four people on board, including the pilot.

Sign up to The Nightly's newsletters.

Get the first look at the digital newspaper, curated daily stories and breaking headlines delivered to your inbox.

Email Us
By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.

“We can confirm that three people have died following a helicopter crash on the Isle of Wight this morning,” a spokesperson for the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary told The Sun.

“Four people in total were on board, with one person currently in hospital in a serious condition.

“At this time we are unable to provide further information about the people involved, as efforts continue to contact and support their families,” they said.

Locals were left stunned after witnessing the horrifying crash.

Leigh Goldsmith, who was the first person on the scene, told the Isle of Wight County Press that she saw the helicopter “spiralling” before it plunged into a hedge.

It is understood that the helicopter had departed from the nearby Sandown Airport that morning, but was airborne for only seven minutes before it came down.

Joe Robertson, the local MP, described the incident as “heartbreaking”.

Speaking on Times Radio, he said: “What should have been a fun morning out on a helicopter flight on Bank Holiday Monday has turned to tragedy with the death of three people and a fourth of course is seriously ill.

“It’s heartbreaking and I know the local community here on the island are in shock, frankly.”

“I know that here on the island people pull together and support one another and I’d just like to reiterate my thanks to the emergency services who were on the scene very quickly and have done an amazing job, but sadly have been unable to ensure the survival of those people who went in the helicopter,” he continued.

An investigation into the cause of the crash remains ongoing.

Comments

Latest Edition

The Nightly cover for 25-08-2025

Latest Edition

Edition Edition 25 August 202525 August 2025

‘Grim reality’: Traumatised husband and poisoned widower lay bare the devastation wrought by mushroom killer.