TWO men have died in a helicopter crash off the Yorkshire coast.

Humberside Police and Humber Coastguard were called at 1.40pm after a member of the public who said they had seen it fall into the sea at Flamborough Head. 

The first services to arrive carried out a search and found the helicopter in the sea off the coast of Flamborough near the lighthouse. Golfers have told of seeing it go down as they were playing nearby.

In the last few minutes, Humberside Police have confirmed two men were on board the private charter vehicle, which had taken off from an airfield near Edinburgh on Tuesday morning, heading to its final destination near Retford.

A police spokesman said the bodies of the two men had been recovered from the wreckage of the aircraft just before 5pm. 

Len Norman, from Bridlington, was playing golf with friends at the Flamborough Head Golf Club, when they heard the helicopter in distress.

Mr Norman, 71, said: "We were on the 17th green, maybe a couple of hundred yards from where the helicopter came down. 

"It came down from the Scarborough direction towards the lighthouse and turned as if to land in a field, then spluttered and went down."

Mr Norman said he saw the helicopter partially submerged in the sea at the bottom of the cliffs, and saw two life jackets in the water, but could not see any people.

Fellow witness Barry Rhodes, 71, said: "I was just playing a round of golf with friends when we spotted a helicopter that seemed to be in a bit of bother.

"It looked as though it was coming into land on the cliff top. But as it did, there was a loud screech and then the engine cut out.

"The helicopter just dropped to the ground at speed. The drop is at least 200ft. It hit the bottom of the cliff that meets with the sea.

"It was the most horrific thing I have ever seen. We felt helpless because there was nothing any of us could have done. There are now about 15 police cars in the area.

"We can't believe what has happened."

Paul Litten, commercial director for Humberside Airport, said: "I knew it was due in and heard that an aircraft emergency had been called. Our thoughts are with the people on board."

Initial reports that the flight had come from Durham Tees Valley Airport were incorrect, it has emerged.

A spokesman for Durham Tees Valley said: "Air traffic control at Durham Tees Valley did handle the flight, which it is believed originated in Scotland, whilst in local airspace. Subsequently the pilot of the aircraft contacted air traffic control to state that he had landed at a private site and was then proceeding to Humberside Airport."

Both the Bridlington and Flamborough lifeboats have launched to carry out rescue operations.

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance has left the scene with no casualties on board. A spokesman said their services were no longer required.

Rod Marwood, chairman of the golf course, said members at the scene had told him the helicopter "seemed to lose power and tried to get to the top of the cliff, but sank below and all they heard was a bang as it hit".

York Press:

SCENE: A file picture of Flamborough Head, with the golf-course to the right and the lighthouse straight ahead.

A member of Humber Coastguard was winched from an RAF search and rescue helicopter to investigate the scene.

Humber Coastguard are co-ordinating the emergency services. A Humberside Police spokesman said the force, four Coastguard teams and Yorkshire Ambulance Service were at the scene.  

"An area has been cordoned off while the emergency services and coast guard continue their work," he said.

"Initial inquiries are being made in order to try and establish the circumstances which led to the helicopter coming down.

"Members of public and the media are asked to stay away from the area until further notice due to the site being close to dangerous cliff edges and there also being a quantity of what appears to be aviation fuel in the water around the crash site making it potentially unsafe at present."

A spokeswoman for the Yorkshire Ambulance Service said the call they received reported that the helicopter had hit the cliffs at Flamborough.

She said two rapid response paramedics and a clinical supervisor have been sent to assist at the scene.

The Air Accident Investigation branch has confirmed a team has been sent to the scene.

More to follow...