Updated 11.49am
TWO PEOPLE HAVE been killed in a helicopter crash in central London this morning.
Metropolitan Police confirmed that two people were found dead at the scene near Wandsworth Road, beside the Vauxhall tube station.
It is understood that the victims include the pilot and another person who was on the ground.
It is believed the helicopter was carrying no passengers.
The helicopter crashed into a construction crane in the Vauxhall area of the city. It had taken off from Battersea heliport, which has now been closed. Police believe that the scheduled, commercial flight may have been diverted to Battersea.
“At this stage it appears a commercial helicopter on a scheduled flight was in collision with a crane on top of a building under construction in Nine Elms Lane SW8,” said a spokesperson at a media briefing earlier. “The helicopter came down on the land adjacent to the building.”
Thirteen people were injured, according to Scotland Yard.
London Ambulance said six other people suffering minor injuries, including a broken leg, have also been taken to hospital. Seven others were treated at the scene for minor injuries.
Officers say they will confirm further details as soon as they have them.
The London Fire Brigade received several calls about the incident at about 8am. On Twitter, it said, “We’re attending reports of a helicopter crash near Wandsworth Road in South Lambeth. More when we have it.”
Its members are also attending reports of a crane in a precarious position on Saint George’s Wharf.
London’s Air Ambulance confirmed its medical team are at the scene.
It is understood that at least three cars were involved in the incident. However, it is not clear whether they were parked and unoccupied or part of the morning traffic.
There were initial fears that the event could be terror-related because of the proximity to the headquarters of Britain’s intelligence agency, MI6, but this has been ruled out since.
All fires have now been extinguished and an Air Investigation Branch has made its way to the scene.
Prime Minister David Cameron has expressed his gratitude to the city’s emergency services for their “rapid and professional response” this morning.
Eyewitnesses took these videos of the aftermath of the crash:
(YouTube Credit: CouriersLondon)
(YouTube Credit: niczerogoeshome)
(Image: @nic0/Twitter)
(Image: @craiglet/Twitter)
(Image: @paraicobrien/Twitter)
A car that was burnt out during the incident. (Image: @paraicobrien/Twitter)
(Image: @paraicobrien/Twitter)
Police boats patrol the River Thames in front of the damaged crane on top of St George’s Tower. (Image: Nick Ansell/PA Wire)
Emergency services at the scene. (Image: Sarah Grun/PA Wire)
A section of the crane lays in Nine Elms Lane. (Image: John Stillwell/PA Wire)
A group of firefighters examine the scene from an extendable ladder high above Wandsworth Road. (Image: John Stillwell/PA Wire)
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