Helicopter crash A MAYDAY distress call from the cockle boat Vallan reporting seeing a helicopter crash on Gat Sand, in the Wash, was intercepted by Yarmouth Coastguard at 1424 on Sunday June 26. A helicopter from RAF Coltishall just airborne on exercise was immediately diverted to the scene of the casualty while Skegness lifeboats, 15 miles to the north of Gat Sand, and Hunstanton lifeboat, ten miles to the east, were asked to launch.

It was a fine day, though misty at Hunstanton. The north-westerly breeze was gentle to moderate, force 3 to 4, and the sea choppy.

Skegness D class inflatable lifeboat launched at 1435 manned by Helmsman Ray Chapman and Crew Member Brian Porter; Hunstanton Atlantic 21 rigid inflatable lifeboat Spirit of America launched at 1438 manned by Helmsman Rodney Hicks and Crew Member Gerald Wase, Victor Dade and Michael Wallace; and Skegness 37ft Oakley lifeboat Charles Fred Grantham was launched from her carriage at 1450 under the command of Coxswain/ Mechanic Kenneth Holland.

As it was low water springs, Hunstanton Atlantic 21 had to head north through The Bays before rounding the north end of Sunk Sand and altering course to the south west. Full speed was then maintained to Roaring Middle Buoy and on to Bar Flat Buoy. On approaching Gat Sand wreckage could be seen with the RAF helicopter winchman standing beside it. Helmsman Hicks ran the Atlantic up on to the edge of the sands and anchored at 1515. He found that the pilot and three marine biologists who had been in the crashed charter helicopter had all been killed.

At this point the RAF helicopter landed on the sand and the lifeboatcrew, two of the RAF crew and two fishermen from the cockle boat Vallan were able to lift the wreckage enough to free the bodies of three men who had been trapped inside the helicopter; the fourth man had been thrown clear.

Both Skegness lifeboats were recalled by 1547; the D class lifeboat was beached at 1615 and the Oakley lifeboat at 1710.

The four bodies were taken by Hunstanton lifeboat to Kings Lynn, arriving at 1650, where ambulances and the Police were waiting. Helmsman Alan Clarke and Crew Members John Hawkes and Raymond Athow had also come from Hunstanton to help and after the lifeboat was released they refuelled her and took her back to station. The Atlantic 21 Spirit of America arrived at Hunstanton at 1730 and was rehoused and once again ready for service at 1815.For this service a letter signed by Cdr Bruce Cairns, chief of operations, and expressing the Institution's appreciation to all who took part was sent to Mr J. T.

Day, Hunstanton station honorary secretary..