Br.Ant.Territory : HMS ENDURANCE: LYNX CRASH IN ANTARCTICA
Submitted by (Juanita Brock) 09.02.2004 (Article Archived on 23.02.2004)

The Ministry of Defence can confirm that a Royal Navy Lynx helicopter from the ice patrol ship HMS Endurance crashed in Antarctica on 8 February.

Photo and article (c) Ministry of Defence

HMS ENDURANCE: LYNX CRASH IN ANTARCTICA

© Ministry of Defence

One of the Endurance's Lynx Helicopters

The Ministry of Defence can confirm that a Royal Navy Lynx helicopter from the ice patrol ship HMS Endurance crashed in Antarctica on 8 February.  The five crew members aboard suffered injuries, but were safely recovered back to the ship where they received treatment from a Royal Navy and British Antarctic Survey medical team.  The three most seriously injured were airlifted to the British Antarctic Survey's Halley Research Station; they are now being moved out of Antarctica.  Their injuries are not life-threatening and their next of kin have been informed.

The cause of the accident will be the subject of a full investigation.  The helicopter came down on the coast of the Weddell Sea while Endurance and the Royal Research Ship Ernest Shackleton were laying down fuel caches for British Antarctic Survey use.

HMS Endurance carries a pair of Lynx Mk3 helicopters from 815 Naval Air Squadron, which are used to support the ship's patrol and hydrographic survey work in Antarctic waters.  Bearing the same name as the ship in which Sir Ernest Shackleton conducted his great voyage of exploration ninety years ago, Endurance spends some seven months each year deployed in the South Atlantic, where her role includes supporting the British Antarctic Survey and contributing to the defence of British interests in the region.