00:00 Tragedy struck off the coast of western Norway as a helicopter crash-landed into the ocean,
00:09 claiming the life of one individual while leaving five others injured, according to
00:13 police reports on Thursday.
00:15 The incident prompted a temporary suspension of transportation to and from the country's
00:20 offshore oil and gas platforms.
00:23 The Sikorsky S-92 helicopter, operated by Bristol Norway, was engaged in a search and
00:29 rescue training exercise when the unfortunate accident took place on Wednesday, as confirmed
00:34 by officials.
00:36 Rescue workers successfully retrieved all six individuals from the sea following the
00:40 helicopter crash, as confirmed by the police.
00:43 Tragically, despite efforts, one person succumbed to injuries after being transported to the
00:48 hospital.
00:49 Among the survivors, one sustained minor injuries, while the remaining four suffered varying
00:53 degrees of harm, as detailed by law enforcement in a statement.
00:58 The precise cause of the accident remains uncertain, with Lockheed Martin subsidiary
01:03 Sikorsky, the manufacturer of the helicopter, emphasising its commitment to safety and pledging
01:08 full cooperation with the investigation.
01:11 Weather conditions in the area, characterised by high winds, may have contributed to the
01:15 incident, according to a rescue service official.
01:18 The airspace above an island west of Bergen, Norway's second-largest city and a vital
01:23 centre for the nation's offshore oil and gas sector, witnessed heightened activity,
01:28 with air traffic data indicating the presence of multiple rescue helicopters.
01:32 Equinor, the energy group, confirmed that the helicopter involved was typically deployed
01:36 as a search and rescue aircraft, serving platforms at the company's Oseberg oil and gas field
01:42 in the North Sea.
01:43 CEO Anders Åhpedal expressed deep concern, stating, "Everyone on board the helicopter
01:49 was on an assignment for Equinor."
01:51 Our key task now is to help take care of those involved.
01:55 Following the tragic incident, Equinor took immediate action by suspending all regular
01:59 helicopter flights to its oil and gas platforms in Norway, prioritising support for those
02:04 affected and assessing the situation comprehensively.
02:08 In their commitment to safety, Equinor is working diligently to restore regular helicopter
02:12 operations while ensuring the utmost caution.
02:15 The company affirmed its dedication to swiftly resuming normal operations and is currently
02:20 undertaking necessary preparations to achieve this objective safely.
02:24 This accident evokes memories of a similar tragedy in 2016 when an Airbus Super Puma
02:29 helicopter, also returning from the North Sea, crashed in the vicinity, claiming the
02:34 lives of all 13 individuals aboard.
02:36 [Music]
02:41 (thunder)
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