Woman who died after Derriford helicopter landing incident was 'blown over'

Devon & Cornwall Police have confirmed the casualty was 87-years-old

Author: Emma HartPublished 5th Mar 2022
Last updated 5th Mar 2022

Devon and Cornwall Police have confirmed the elderly woman who died after a helicopter landing incident at Plymouth's Derriford Hospital was 87.

The force has issued an updated statement following Friday's tragedy, saying the casualty is believed to have been blown over by the down draft.

Officers say she was on a nearby footpath at the time and suffered a serious head injury.

They added that, tragically, she died later in the hospital and her family have been informed.

A second casualty, who was in the car park, is believed to have been injured when the down draft caused the car door to slam shut.

The woman, also in her 80s, suffered a broken pelvis and remains in a stable condition in hospital.

Police say the investigation is being led by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch and their thoughts go out to all those involved.

Detective Inspector Andy Hodges said: "It is currently believed that at around 11:20am on Friday 4th March, a HM Coastguard helicopter was landing at the helipad at Derriford; the helicopter was carrying a casualty linked to a separate job earlier that morning.

"Whilst the helicopter was in the process of landing on the helipad, the down draft caused one member of the public, an 87-year-old woman from the Plymouth area who was on a nearby footpath, to be blown over.

"She sustained a serious head injury and later died in Derriford Hospital. Her next of kin have been informed and a file is to be prepared for the coroner.

"A second woman, also in their 80s, was in the car park when it is believed the down draft caused the car door to slam shut whilst she was exiting her vehicle; she has suffered a broken pelvis and remains in hospital in a stable condition".

DI Hodges continued: "Our role now is to assist with the investigation which is now being led on by the Air Accident Investigations Branch.

“This is a tragic incident and our thoughts go out to all affected by what took place yesterday at Derriford".

HM Coastguard and University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust have both been approached for a statement and updates will appear below.

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