Helicopter crashes in central London

As title says, a helicopter appears to have hit a crane and has crashed into a road in Vauxhall.

Just passed it on the train into London. It was so close to the railway arches that I could only see the smoke and not the wreckage

More info. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-21040410

Sky News reporting that the crane was attached to St. George's Wharf Tower which they said is the site for the future US embassy. Presumably a coincidence.

They're saying that only the pilot was on board and that it appears to have hit two cars when it plunged to the ground.

Obviously terrible for those involved but could have been much worse.

That doesn't look too promising for those inside.

Also, now wait for the outcry about the dangers of helicopters flying over built up areas.

Actually, if that is the preferred mode of transport for the press barons, then I suspect that will be glossed over

People using Vauxhall have copped a bad day to travel, especially the rota'd staff.

Reports of two dead now, presumably the pilot and one on the ground.

Vauxhall is the area/station that Mi6 types use

Conspiracy time!!!!!

Just gone past on train,

The crane hanging down does not look safe at all. How the hell are they going to save that.

St Georges Wharf Tower is massive.

They were talking about early freezing fog/low cloud which could have hidden the crane which the BBC quoted as according to NOTAMs around 800ft.

They were talking about early freezing fog/low cloud which could have hidden the crane which the BBC quoted as according to NOTAMs around 800ft.

You couldn't see the top of the building from ground level. Covered in fog.

Havent seen the news but are the any supposed TV experts who are saying it might have been a terrorist act.?

You know how sky and the Beeb seem to have an endless supply of experts on these sorts of incidents.

Now doubt millipede is calling for a public enquiry.

Like car and train crashes , helicopters also have accidents.

That doesn't look too promising for those inside.

 

Also, now wait for the outcry about the dangers of helicopters flying over built up areas.

Apparently the police helicopter was already grounded because of the weather conditions, which if that is true, does you wonder why this one was flying. Surely London must be one of the world's most regulated airspaces?

Typical - was on the 718 from Winchester so must have gone by about 810, was still asleep/eyes shut, as was most of carriage 9!! no one said a word!

Now saying the helicopter was flying to Elstree so must have been making emergency landing at Battersea heliport, never quite made it....

Went straight past it this morning about 45 minutes after it happened, emergency services had it covered. Amazing that the casualties and injuries (so far) is so low, it's such a congested area.

Just passed it on the train into London. It was so close to the railway arches that I could only see the smoke and not the wreckage

 

I was probably on a similar train to you, that's what I saw as well.

Typical - was on the 718 from Winchester so must have gone by about 810, was still asleep/eyes shut, as was most of carriage 9!! no one said a word!

 

Now saying the helicopter was flying to Elstree so must have been making emergency landing at Battersea heliport, never quite made it....

I think I heard that the pilot asked to divert to Battersea because of the poor visibility, not as an "emergency" as such.

I was on a train through Vauxhall 3 minutes after it happened. Completely oblivious to it as was listening to a podcast!