North Sea helicopter crash: Tributes to Droitwich pilot
TRIBUTES were paid last night to the Midland helicopter co-pilot who died along with 16 others when the aircraft crashed in to the North Sea.
Richard Menzies, from Droitwich Spa in Worcestershire, was named by police as being among the victims on board the Super Puma.
The 24-year-old was flying the helicopter back from a BP platform alongside Captain Paul Burnham when it plunged into the sea in what has been described as a “catastrophic impact” 14 miles from Peterhead.
Mr Menzies was employed by Aberdeen-based Bond Helicopters which operates flights to oil rigs off Scotland.
The company’s spokesman Bill Munro said: “Richard was a dedicated pilot as indeed all our pilots are. This is a tragic loss for all concerned.
“These are tragic, tragic events and we will fully comply with the AAIB investigation which kicked off last night and proceeds today.”
Eight bodies have so far been recovered from the wreckage of the craft and police have said that there is no hope of finding any survivors.
In February another Super Puma operated by BP crashed in the North Sea.
On that occasion all 18 people on board survived when the helicopter ditched 125 miles east of Aberdeen.
BP has announced it will temporarily stop using Bond helicopters and Bond has grounded its Super Puma fleet. The helicopter was said to be flying in calm and sunny conditions on Wednesday afternoon when it crashed.
Nine of the other victims worked for oil and gas firm KCA Deutag.
