A helicopter, carrying 18 people, has crashed into the sea near Shetland.

The incident happened west of Sumburgh airport at about 18.20.

The Coastguard said 15 people had been recovered from the sea. Three people remain unaccounted for and an air and sea search is continuing.

Nine people have arrived in Lerwick after being flown there from the scene by coastguard rescue helicopter. One was taken off the flight by stretcher. The rest walked off the flight.

The helicopter was operated by CHC, taking people to and from oil and gas platforms in the North Sea.

Three helicopters and two lifeboats are involved in the search.

Rescue helicopters

The coastguard said wreckage from the helicopter was starting to wash up at Garth Sneff near Sumburgh Head.

A ferry travelling between Shetland and Aberdeen was diverted to the scene and the RNLI launched Aith and Lerwick lifeboats.

Northlink Ferries confirmed that one of its ferries had been diverted. The vessel left Shetland and was heading to Aberdeen but was diverted back to the incident.

Police Scotland said they were aware of the incident and were working with the coastguard.

Investigators from the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) are travelling to the scene.

A spokesman for the Department for Transport said: “The AAIB is aware of the incident and has deployed a team”.

SOURCE BBC, Read more..   (photo: Super Puma archive)