Updated: 10.30
A HELICOPTER CARRYING five people has gone missing over the Irish Sea and search and rescue operations are currently underway, according to the UK Coastguard.
In a statement released this evening, a ”privately-owned twin squirrel red helicopter with five people on board is believed to have left Milton Keynes earlier today en route to Dublin, via Caernarfon Bay”.
Earlier this afternoon, radar contact was lost with the helicopter. The UK Coastguard contacted all nearby airbases which reported no sighting or radio contact from the helicopter.
The flight took off from Milton Keynes at around midday. It should have arrived in Dublin before 6pm.
It is understood that five men were on board the aircraft, all of whom are from the UK.
According to a spokeswoman from the UK’s Maritime and Coastguard: “Searches are being hampered due to poor visibility and low cloud cover. The helicopter departed Milton Keynes at around noon today. It is a UK registered helicopter.”
UK Coastguard duty commander Peter Davies said: ”We have established a search plan between Caernarfon Bay and the shore of Dublin and currently have two coastguard helicopters searching the route.
“We are in the process of contacting all the vessels in the Irish Sea that were in the vicinity around midday and we are continuing mayday broadcast action for any vessels currently in the area to contact us if they have further information.
“At the moment we are appealing to these vessels and to the public that if they have seen a twin squirrel red helicopter to please contact 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”
The Irish Coastguard is also helping with the operation.
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