Helicopter crash-lands in ocean off Norway, all on board rescued

A helicopter carrying six individuals crash-landed in the ocean off the coast of western Norway on Wednesday. The Joint Rescue Coordination Centres swiftly responded to the emergency, and successfully rescued all passengers by hoisting them from the sea.

The medical condition of all six rescued individuals, whom Haukeland University Hospital received, remains unclear.

Bristow Norway, known for transporting crew to and from North Sea oil and gas platforms, owned the helicopter involved in the crash, said Heidi Wulff Heimark, the company’s country manager, sharing the details with Stavanger Aftenblad.

Details about the specific type of helicopter involved are not immediately available, as the company did not provide any comment when contacted by Reuters.

The challenging weather conditions in the area, marked by high winds, are said to be a potential factor in the accident, according to a rescue service official. Air traffic data indicated a fleet of rescue helicopters circling near an island west of Bergen, the second-largest city in Norway and a prominent hub for the country’s offshore oil and gas industry.

The incident brings back memories of a tragic event in 2016 when an Airbus Super Puma helicopter crashed in the same vicinity, resulting in the loss of all 13 lives on board. The aftermath led to the suspension of the use of that particular helicopter model within the Norwegian oil and gas industry.

As authorities probe the details of the recent accident, parallels with past incidents underscore the importance of safety measures in offshore transportation.

Updates on the medical conditions of the passengers and the investigation into the crash will be provided as they become available.